At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a hands-on team maintaining local highways and improving community infrastructure.
- Company: NY Highways, a trusted local employer in North Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Secure role, competitive salary, training, generous leave, and career progression.
- Other info: Full training provided, with clear pathways for career advancement.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, earn while you learn, and build a long-term career.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
The predicted salary is between 26509 - 27788 £ per year.
Salary: £26,509 - £27,788 per year
Grade: 2
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Hours: 40 per week
Location: Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire
Looking for a role where you can earn while you learn, work outdoors, and build a long-term career with a trusted local employer? NY Highways is looking for a Highways Operative to join our close-knit local team based in Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, working in the heart of North Yorkshire. This is a great opportunity to join the business at an entry level, receive full training and qualifications and progress your career within highways maintenance.
What you’ll be doing
- General highway maintenance such as site clearance, verge works and sign cleaning
- Excavating holes and trenches and assisting with drainage and minor repairs
- Supporting traffic management and safe working practices on site
- Operating highways plant, tools and equipment (full training provided)
- Using handheld devices to record work and defects
- Supporting winter maintenance activities, including snow clearance and gritting operations
You’ll also take part in an out‑of‑hours call‑out rota for emergencies and potentially winter maintenance. This is a hands‑on, outdoor role, working in all weathers. Full PPE and outdoor clothing is provided.
This is a great opportunity to secure a permanent role, offering strong benefits, training and long‑term career progression.
With NY Highways you’ll have:
- A secure, permanent role with a respected highways provider
- Training and development from day one, including nationally recognised highways qualifications
- Clear pathways for career progression. Many of our current supervisors and specialist operatives started in entry-level operational roles.
- Annual pay progression
- Generous annual leave starting at 24 days, rising to 29 days, plus bank holidays
- Company vehicle use during the working day
- Membership of the Royal London pension scheme with employer contributions up to 6%
- Health cash plan, Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to benefits including Cycle to Work, Vivup discounts, Credit Union and Death in Service cover
- Job stability through our long‑term partnership with North Yorkshire Council
You’ll be successful if you:
- Enjoy practical, hands‑on work
- Are comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Take pride in doing a job safely and professionally
- Can work as part of a team and support colleagues
- Are willing to learn new skills and qualifications
- Can respond flexibly when operational needs arise
Experience as a labourer, groundworker, construction operative, highways operative, maintenance operative or similar role would be beneficial but is not essential. If you've worked in construction, agriculture, grounds maintenance or any other practical environment, we'd love to hear from you. Full training, PPE and support will be provided.
NY Highways delivers highways services in partnership with North Yorkshire Council. While we work closely with the Council, we’re an independent organisation with a strong commercial focus and public service values. We invest in our people, training and equipment, creating a supportive working environment where you can build a long‑term career close to home.
NY Highways is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief.
We will not accept applications from agencies and can only consider applications from individuals with right to work within the UK.
At NY Highways, safety is a core principle. We are dedicated to the health and safety of our employees and the public. To maintain a safe work environment, we enforce a strict substance misuse policy. Employees must report to work fit for duty and free from drugs or alcohol. New employees will undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing, with random tests conducted throughout employment. Adherence to this policy is essential for upholding our safety standards and ensuring the integrity of our operations.
Highways Operative employer: Applefields School
Whitby School is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inspiring environment for both students and staff. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, mental health support, and continuous professional development, we empower our employees to grow in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. Located in the heart of the Whitby community, our school embodies values of ambition, courage, character, and endeavour, ensuring that every day offers new challenges and rewards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Highways Operative
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Applefields School, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Highways Operative at Applefields School.
We think you need these skills to ace Highways Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Applefields School
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
