Port Operative

Typical Salary

£15,000 To £25,000

Typical Hours

43 to 45 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How To Become a Port Operative

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a port operative intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly for cargo jobs if you've got experience in warehouse work, operating mobile cranes or using forklift trucks.

You could also work in passenger operations if you have experience in customer service or travel.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to operate and control equipment
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
excellent verbal communication skills
observation and recording skills
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

As a port operative or stevedore, your day-to-day duties may include:

loading and unloading cargo containers, using ship or dockside cranes
transferring cargoes to storage areas with trailers or forklift trucks
operating conveyors and pumps for bulk cargoes like grain, coal and oil

As a passenger worker, you could be:

helping passengers to get on and off boats and ferries
giving out travel information, like sailing times or weather conditions
checking travel documents
directing vehicles to and from parking bays aboard vessels

In marine operations, you would be:

refuelling vessels
placing marker buoys in the harbour
navigating craft and operating VHF radio and radar equipment

Working Environment

You could work at a port or at a marina.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Career Path & Progression

You could be promoted to foreperson or supervisor, and then move on to become a superintendent or operations manager. You might also train to specialise in engineering to maintain the heavy machinery used in ports.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in ports and harbours from Port Skills and Safety.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass a medical check
have forklift truck driver training for some jobs

Your employer will put you through port safety training.