Demolition Main Page

The Job  

Demolition is one of the most highly skilled jobs in construction and one of the most spectacular. It can also be very dangerous if the right precautions are not followed, especially with operations carried out by hand.

Demolishing bridges and buildings involves plant machinery, careful planning, and high levels of safety. Once the structure has been demolished, the site is cleared, and the materials are often recycled.

The People  

This is an outdoor job for outdoor people. Safety is very important and the dangers can change from day to day. You'll need to be good at teamwork, as you'll be relying on other people - and they on you.

Entry Requirements  

There are no specific academic requirements to train as a demolition operative, although GCSE (A-D) / Standard Grades (1-4) in Maths, English and Technology will be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory. You must be over 18 to train as a demolition operative.

Entrants to the demolition business can expect extensive safety training from employers, which includes accident prevention, manual handling, noise control and fire prevention and control.

There is also first aid training and short courses offered in oxygen and fuel gas cutting. After this training is complete, you will receive a Certificate of Competence of Demolition Operation.

The Benefits  

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually. Pay rates for apprentices in Scotland are set by SBATC. A good basic wage is available and can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer.