Quarry worker

Quarry workers operate the machinery used in quarries to crush and transport rocks and minerals. They may also carry out routine maintenance on the equipment.

Work activities

Quarry workers are responsible for a number of jobs in quarries, where materials such as limestone, sandstone, chalk, clay, sand and gravel are excavated. These materials then get used in building and construction industries, such as in making cement and concrete. There are different job titles for the people who do the various tasks. Shotfirers load explosives, which they use to blast out the rocks and stones. They place the explosives in holes that drillers have made. They need to observe strict safety regulations when doing this. Other quarry workers operate excavators or loading shovels that move the quarried stone into dump trucks or lorries. Some quarry workers carry out routine repairs on quarry equipment. Some quarry firms are responsible for other activities, such as producing coated stone for road building and maintenance, or producing lime, concrete products or ready-mixed cement. Quarry workers may supply and deliver materials to customers and there are often many drivers of heavy vehicles at a quarry. Safety issues are important when working in a quarry, so protective clothing, helmets, boots and goggles are normally worn. Quarries can be very noisy and dusty. Work takes place in all types of weather.

Personal qualities and skills

As a quarry worker, you need:

To be physically fit and active.
Common sense and reliability, since quarries are potentially dangerous places in which to work.
A knowledge of safety issues.
To be good at following instructions as well as working as part of a team.
To be prepared to work in all types of weather, as work takes place outdoors on a site.
An HGV (heavy goods vehicle) driving licence may be required.

The following future skills shortages have been identified within the industry:

Team-working.
The ability to work on your own initiative.
Job-related technical skills.
Management and leadership.

Pay and opportunities

Quarry workers start on around £16,000, rising to £30,000 with experience.

Quarry workers usually work 40-45 hours per week, usually in shifts, which may include weekends. Overtime may be available.

Employers in the extractive industries include mining and quarrying companies in ball and china clay, sand and gravel, slate, chalk, granite and limestone. Opportunities for quarry workers occur throughout the UK.

What’s happening in this work area?

The success of this industry depends directly on the success of the construction industry. Jobs in these industries are still mainly held by men. They take almost nine in 10 jobs. The industry is working to change this. Quarries are often situated in isolated rural areas.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of professional engineering bodies.

Entry routes and training

You can enter this career by applying directly for vacancies. You could also apply for a level 5 (higher) apprenticeship in the industry, in the role of mineral products technician. Other apprenticeships may be available in roles such as:

Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3 / advanced)
Machining technician (level 3 / advanced)

Training is mostly on-the-job, covering safety, plant operation or blasting techniques.

You may be given day- or block-release to study at college for a relevant qualification, e.g. a City & Guilds qualification. The Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) runs relevant short courses.

Shotfirers must have a Shotfirer Certificate to work at a quarry.

Quarry workers can progress to specialist posts or to team leader/supervisor positions after further training and experience.

Qualifications

There are no formal entry requirements for this career. However, many employers or training providers prefer applicants to have at least 4 GCSEs, including English, maths and a science, technology or engineering subject.

To begin an advanced apprenticeship, you'll need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your apprenticeship programme.

To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you will need two A-levels plus GCSEs in maths and English.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained within the building/construction industries, for example, as a construction operative, are helpful.

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