The Datum Report

Occupation 8133 · Process, plant and machine operatives

Energy plant operatives

Energy plant operatives operate boilers to produce hot water or steam and attend and operate compressors, turbines, electrical substations, switchboards and auxiliary plant and machinery to fuel nuclear reactors, drive blowers and pumps, electricity generators and other equipment.

How people enter it

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically by apprenticeship, incorporating technical training and practical experience. NVQs/ SVQs in Electrical Power Engineering at levels 2 and 3 and apprenticeships are available.

What the work involves

• determines job requirements from switchboard attendant or operating instructions
• opens valves and operates controls to regulate the flow of fuel to boiler or generating equipment
• operates remote control panel to load fuel and remove discharged fuel elements from nuclear reactors
• adjusts controls to maintain correct running speed of turbine or generator and monitors temperature and pressure controls on boilers
• records instrument readings periodically and shuts down turbine/generator or boiler as demand decreases
• carries out minor maintenance tasks and prescribed tests and reports any faults

Also called

Boilerman · Control room operator (electric) · Hydraulic engineman · Plant operator (electricity supplier) · Power station operator

What it pays

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Common questions

Classified alongside this

Mining and quarry workers and related operatives · Paper and wood machine operatives · Plant and machine operatives n.e.c. · Printing machine assistants · Water and sewerage plant operatives