Construction machine operator
New places, new tasks and various working hours. You can look forward to a diverse job as a construction machine operator. Good for those who enjoy working with machinery and equipment.
What does a Construction machine operator do?
Regardless of the the high capacity and sophistication of modern construction equipment, no technology in the world can replace a skilled operator. You will have an important and interesting role in the workplace.
A construction machine operator’s work areas and tasks are many and varied. Typical tasks include operating and maintaining construction equipment, digging and excavating for buildings, facilities and roads, digging for and routing water and sewer pipes and loading and unloading various types of goods and materials. You may also lay cables and work at gravel sites. The most common types of machinery are excavators and loaders. Perhaps it goes without saying that it helps if you like machines!
How can I become a Construction machine operator in secondary school?
You choose the building and construction programme and specialise in construction equipment. This provides your basic training.
The secondary school programme
In the first year, you study parts of the common secondary school subjects and the specific subjects that are common to the programme. The specific subjects of Building and Construction 1 and 2 provide you with knowledge and orientation in the different professions in the sector to better help you choose which one suits you best.
The programme combines theoretical and practical training in school with workplace-based learning (WBL). You must have at least 15 weeks of work-based learning during your training period. You can also complete your studies as a secondary school apprentice.
Qualification for higher education
As of August 2023 all programmes will be university preparatory programmes.
Qualification time
The period following initial training is called the qualification period. You work as an apprentice in a company during this time. The qualification period for a Construction machine operator is 24 months, after which you can apply for a professional certificate. You will receive an agreed-upon apprenticeship wage during the qualification period. You must independently apply for an apprenticeship position in a company with a collective agreement or a labour contract.
How can I become a Construction machine operator via adult education?
As an adult there are several ways to become a professional construction worker. You can choose to go either via the building and construction programme at VUX (secondary school for adults) or vacational advancement via the Employment Service. You can also choose to go thru an educational company. There are many opportunities as you can see!
The adult education programme
There are two paths: the School programme and the Adult education apprenticeship system.
The school programme is very similar to the secondary school programme. However, you only study vocational courses. The programme combines theoretical and practical education in school with training at the workplace, known as workplace-based learning (WBL). Roughly 15% of the total time is spent during workplace-based learning. The length of the programmes varies slightly but is usually one year. The length of the education period depends on the pace of the education, the choice of profession and the school’s own programme.
The majority of your training in the Adult education apprenticeship system (up to 70%) is at a workplace. Theoretical training is provided in the classroom. The length of the programmes varies slightly but is usually one year. The length of the education period depends on the pace of the education, the choice of profession and the school’s own programme.
Qualification time
The period following initial training is called the qualification period. You work as an apprentice in a company during this time. The qualification period for a Construction machine operator is 24 months, after which you can apply for a professional certificate. You will receive an agreed-upon apprenticeship wage during the qualification period. You must independently apply for an apprenticeship position in a company with a collective agreement or a labour contract.
How can I become a Construction machine operator as a company apprentice?
You must first find a company that wants to hire you as an apprentice.
Being a company apprentice means that you have a position as an apprentice but that you do lack some or all of an approved basic education and must now obtain this in the company. The programme has two parts, a theoretical and a practical part, which are studied in parallel.
The practical part is based on the qualifications for the respective profession and where you as an apprentice must achieve a certain degree of independence in each qualification. These must also be approved by your assigned supervisor.
You have 6 months to complete both the theoretical and practical parts of your basic training. Once this is completed and your supervisor has approved all parts, you can start your qualification period.
The education is conducted by ME school.
The distance learning programme
“The professional training is conducted with the help of a supervisor appointed at the company, a distance learning instructor from the ME school, and course materials sent to you when you start your distance learning. You must be at least 18 years old to start distance learning.
The introductory course is common to all Construction machine operator professions and includes elements such as the work environment, safety and technology. This course must be passed before you can operate a machine in the workplace as an apprentice. Specialisation includes courses on the theoretical professional skills and includes courses in construction or lifting methods. Further types of machine can also be selected.
All distance learning programmes are conducted in Swedish.
Qualification time
The period following initial training is called the qualification period. You work as an apprentice in a company during this time. The qualification period for a Construction machine operator is 24 months, after which you can apply for a professional certificate. You will receive an agreed-upon apprenticeship wage during the qualification period. You must independently apply for an apprenticeship position in a company with a collective agreement or a labour contract.
