Occupation
Demolition worker
Demolition workers take structures apart, either by hand strip-out or with machines, following a method statement that controls the order of removal so nothing collapses unexpectedly. Hazardous materials, services isolation, dust, and structural stability dominate the planning. Increasingly the work includes sorting materials for reuse and recycling rather than simply clearing to landfill.
Also known as: Demolition operative · Strip-out operative · Deconstruction worker · Dismantler
Occupation content
Part of Architecture, construction and infrastructure
What the work involves
- Check that services are isolated and hazardous materials surveyed before work begins.
- Soft-strip fittings, finishes, and non-structural elements ahead of structural demolition.
- Operate breakers, cutting tools, and small plant to dismantle structural elements in the planned sequence.
- Apply dust suppression, screening, and exclusion zones to protect the public and neighbours.
- Segregate steel, concrete, timber, and waste streams for recycling or disposal.
- Watch for unexpected structural movement or unsurveyed material and stop work when it appears.
How people commonly enter
- Entry as a demolition labourer with employer training and the site safety cards required locally.
- An accredited demolition operative training scheme with graded competence cards.
- A construction apprenticeship or plant operator route specialising into demolition.
- Transfer from general construction with added asbestos-awareness and demolition-specific training.
Typical training: Short course or on-the-job training
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Outdoors · Physically active · Team based · Client sites · High responsibility
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Architecture, construction and infrastructure.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- UK National Careers Service — Demolition operative · United Kingdom
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- O*NET OnLine — Construction Laborers (47-2061.00), closest US classification · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Occupation search: demolition worker · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Architecture, construction and infrastructure in Canada, not a figure for Demolition worker. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Architecture, construction and infrastructure family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Architecture, construction and infrastructure: education pathways
Some roles in Architecture, construction and infrastructure may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Architecture, construction and infrastructure: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)