Lead traffic management operative
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A lead traffic management operative sets up and manages temporary traffic management systems including road signs, barriers, and lane closures to keep road workers and the public safe. At level 2, apprentices learn to plan, install, and remove traffic management schemes on a range of road types. The role is the entry point into a career in highways maintenance, with progression to traffic management supervisor.
On the job
What you’ll learn
UK traffic management legislation including Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual
How to read and implement a traffic management plan for different road types
Types of signs, cones, and barriers and their correct placement
Risk assessment and safe systems of work on live carriageways
Communication with road workers, drivers, and highways authorities
Emergency procedures for incidents within a traffic management zone
How to complete relevant permits, records, and handover documentation
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Install and remove cones, signs, barriers, and lane closures to an agreed plan
Conduct pre-start briefings for the operative team before each setup
Check that equipment meets specification and is in safe working order
Monitor the traffic management zone throughout the shift for safety issues
Communicate with the works supervisor and highways authority as required
Respond to incidents within the zone and follow emergency procedures
Complete daily records and sign off on scheme setups and removals
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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