Job Description and Activities
A General Operative would be required to perform a range of tasks that could involve handling cargo, passengers or harbour craft. Larger ports tend to employ operatives specifically for either cargo, passenger or marine operations, but the smaller ports and leisure ports often require employees to perform a mixture of these activities which can include:
- Physical tasks – loading or unloading cargo into freight containers, securing containers on the deck of a ship, the tying and untying of ships’ ropes, carrying baggage on or off the ship and placing in trailers, assisting disabled passengers, positioning passenger barriers, directing vehicles, positioning and removing gangways, fuelling craft, rowing unpowered craft, manoeuvring buoys and markers into/out of the water and in some cases operating lock gates.
- Driving vehicles/operating harbour craft – General Operatives are often required to drive a variety of types of vehicle including large trucks and trailers, lift trucks, electric trolleys and trade vehicles. They may also be required to operate harbour craft under supervision.
- Operating equipment – Some ships need to be worked using highly technical specialised equipment. This equipment can include ship to shore cranes for containers and general cargo, conveyor belts/suction pipes for grain and pipelines for oil tankers.
The Working Environment
- Those working as a General Operative must be fit and able to work at height and on the water.
- Working hours and conditions typically include regular unsocial hours. There may be some on-call requirement and shift or weekend work is very likely.
- There are more males than females currently employed within the industry, but this is changing.
Salary
General Operatives usually start on an annual salary of around £11,000, which can rise to £20,000. Earnings are often dependent upon the complexity of the equipment they are required to operate and the unsocial hours they are required to work.
Entry Requirements
Many ports will have training programmes in place for new employees; however, dependant upon the type of craft or equipment to be operated, a full driving licence, forklift licence, HGV licence, Efficient Deck Hand certificate, sea survival or fire-fighting certificates could also be useful.
An N/SVQ level 2 has been developed for Port Operations, with a pathway in general operations. An apprenticeship is also being developed, with a pathway in General Operations. Due to age restrictions on operating some port equipment some General Operatives may not be employed under the age of 18 years.
Career Development
The natural progression for a General Operative is to become a general team leader, and from there a general supervisor. There are two qualifications aimed at preparing employees for these jobs:
- General Team Leader – N/SVQ in Port Operations
- General Supervisor – N/SVQ in Supervision of Port Operations