If you enjoy recycling and sorting metal, we have an industry for you to check out––scrap metal. As with any career, there are a handful of things you should know before trying your hand in this industry. Lucky for you, we did the research and found the minimum knowledge and skills every scrap metal worker needs. Read on to learn more.
Physical Agility and Strength
Although a vast majority of daily operations in the scrap metal and recycling industry are automated, you should still be in good shape physically. There are times you’ll need to work with your hands and move, push, or pull up to 40 pounds. Not to mention, being in good shape will simply make your job easier, and it’s good for your overall health.
Communication and Active Listening
Whether you’re receiving a shipment of scrap metal or sending out items, you’ll need to communicate with truck drivers, teammates, and your supervisor. Additionally, you should sharpen your active listening skills. If your supervisor tells you to bring the stainless-steel bundle to the truck, you better make sure to bring the correct stainless-steel bundle and not a different item. Moreover, you should know how to decipher the differences between different metal materials.
Heavy Equipment Operation
Remember how we mentioned that many daily operations are automated? Well, if you’re not working with your hands or watching a machine do the work, you might be operating the machine yourself. Many scrap yards equip their workers with skid steers, excavators, and even cranes in extreme operations, though this depends on the size of the scrapyard itself. Most scrap metal workers will complete courses to become certified for heavy equipment operation, which typically warrants a pay increase as well. In addition to knowing how to operate the machine, you should know how the machine and its attachments work, including the hydraulic magnets and grapples.
Depending on your level of experience, the knowledge and skills every scrap metal worker needs will vary. If you want to be an overachiever and have a leg up on the competition, you could invest in yourself and get certified ahead of time. So, what are you waiting for? Go get started!
