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Recycled metals worker
Hours
40 per week
Starting salary
£12,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a recycled metals worker, you would grade, sort, clean and bale scrap metal for recycling.
Your duties would include:
- weighing and recording each load
- grading and sorting it according to quality and value, either by hand or machine
- using metal cutters and burners to dismantle large metal items like industrial machinery
- using hydraulic shears or fragmenters to shred scrap into small pieces
- cleaning the scrap metal
- using machines (balers) to crush the scrap into bales
- operating lift trucks or cranes to stack or load the sorted metal.
You might also drive lorries to collect scrap and deliver the recycled metal.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would normally work around 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Overtime may also be available.
The work often takes place outdoors, in all weather conditions. The job can be physical with lots of bending and lifting. Conditions can be dirty and noisy. You would need to wear protective clothing such as safety boots, goggles, a helmet and gloves.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Recycled metals workers can earn between £12,000 and £14,500 a year
- With experience this could rise to around £16,000 to £18,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You do not need qualifications to become a recycled metals worker. However, you must be at least age 18 to use certain cutting and crushing machines and lifting equipment.
It will be useful if you have previous experience of working in metal fabrication, or operating cranes or lift trucks.
A driving licence would also give you an advantage, and if your job involves driving lorries, you will need the appropriate Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence. See the Large Goods Vehicle Driver profile for information on how to qualify as an LGV driver.
You may also get into this job through an Advanced Level Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship in the Sustainable Resource Management is open to individuals of any age and does not impose any restrictions to entry. Responsibility for selection and recruitment of apprentices lies with the employer who will have a clear idea of their requirements. There are no formal skills requirements and anyone aged 16 or over and not in full time education can apply.
The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about the Apprenticeship, visit Energy & Utility Skill’s website or www.apprenticeships.org.uk 
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You will usually be trained on the job by experienced staff. This will cover areas such as health and safety, cutting, sorting and baling machinery, and possibly the use of fork-lift trucks and cranes.
You may also have the opportunity to work towards qualifications such as:
- Level 1 Diploma for General Recycling Operative
- Level 1 Diploma for Recycling Activites
- Level 2 Diploma for Sustainable Recycling Activities
- Level 2 Certificates and Diplomas for Waste Management Operative
- Level 3 Diploma for Sustainable Recycling Activities
- Level 3 Diploma for Waste Supervisor
- Level 3 and 4 Diplomas for Waste Manager
- Level 4 Diplomas for Management of Recycling Activities
- Level 4 Diplomas in Waste Management Operations
The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) also offers relevant training, including:
- a Health and Safety Passport scheme
- the Recycling Industry Plant Operator Training Scheme.
If not recruited as part of an Apprenticeship you may get the chance to complete one during your employment.
See the BMRA website for more details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- reasonable fitness-levels and stamina
- the ability to work as part of a team
- confidence in operating machinery
- awareness of health and safety.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Energy & Utility Skills
Friars Gate
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk
British Metals Recycling Association
16 High Street
Brampton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 4TU
Tel: 01480 455249
www.recyclemetals.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could work for large scrap contractors or small local businesses. Opportunities in metal recycling have grown in recent years, because local authorities need to meet recycling targets.
With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager, if you work for a larger recycling operation. You could also become self-employed and start your own business.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, or you could contact local scrap dealers and reclamation companies directly to find out about opportunities. You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open new window)
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The waste management industry is part of the energy and utility sector, represented by Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council, which also includes: power; gas; and water. The UK energy and utility sector employs an estimated 536,200 people.
The waste management industry covers the activities concerned with the collection, transport, treatment and final management of waste and recyclables. Once waste is generated from other sectors of the economy, it is collected and passed through a series of processes, which result in either valuable or non-valuable outputs. Non-valuable outputs, which consist of materials that are unsuitable for recovery and re-use, are either sent to landfill or incinerated to produce energy, heat or power. Valuable outputs (such as paper, glass, plastics, metals, etc.), once they have been dismantled and sorted, then leave the waste management industry.
Key facts:
- There are 141,000 people employed in the industry, which includes:
- 29,000 working in Integrated Waste Management Companies
- 60,000 in Public Waste Collection, Disposal Authorities and LAWDCs
- 45,000 in small medium enterprises involved in collection, processing and disposal
- 1,000 working in support services
- 3,000 contractors
- 2,000 in plant/equipment
- 1,000 others, including Regulators
- Women are concentrated in administrative and secretarial, sales and customer service roles.
- The age profile of the waste management industry is significantly older than average UK workforce.
- Around 900 new workers per year will be required by the industry between 2008 and 2017.
Jobs in the industry include: recycling officer; recycling operative; refuse operative; waste management officer; transfer station labourer; energy from waste engineer; environmental engineer; landfill gas; and energy from waste plant operator.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are some 13,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 560 companies.
East of England – There are some 7,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 590 companies.
London – There are some 15,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 460 companies.
North East – There are some 7,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in around 210 companies.
North West – There are some 17,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 750 companies.
South East – There are some 17,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 650 companies.
South West – There are some 10,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 490 companies.
West Midlands – There are some 12,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 620 companies.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are some 10,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 620 companies.
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