Recycled Metals Worker

Typical Salary

£13,500 To £25,000

Typical Hours

41 to 43 a week

between 8am and 6pm

How To Become a Recycled Metals Worker

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a metal recycling 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 do not need any particular qualifications to apply for jobs although GCSEs in English and maths can be useful.

Experience in metal working, operating a crane or forklift truck, or order picking on a production line may give you an advantage.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to operate and control equipment
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
to be flexible and open to change
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with your hands
knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
observation and recording skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

weighing and recording metal collections
grading and sorting metal, by hand or machine
shredding scrap metal into pieces using hydraulic shears and cutters
cleaning scrap metal
using machines to crush the scrap into bales
operating lift trucks or cranes to stack or load sorted metal
driving lorries to collect or deliver recycled metal

Working Environment

You could work at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You could become a shift supervisor or manager after getting experience.

You could also become self-employed and start your own recycling business.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about training to work in recycling from the British Metals Recycling Association and Talent Source Network.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence if your job involves driving a lorry to collect metal waste.