SOC 2020 · 8133
Energy plant operatives
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Shortage list only
Below the usual skill level, but listed.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Temporary Shortage List
Listed roles carry their own restrictions — check GOV.UK.
Shortage list conditions
Temporary Shortage List: all jobs in this code. Certificate of sponsorship must be issued before 31 Dec 2026.
Shortage-list jobs are below the usual skill level, so employers face restrictions such as no dependants and no salary discount. Check GOV.UK for the current conditions.
Salary the job must pay
A Skilled Worker job must pay at least the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for its occupation code.
Going rate (standard)
£41,500
General threshold
£41,700
Visa thresholds from
Minimum for this role
£41,700
Home Office going rates from
New entrants and some other cases can use 70% of the going rate, £33,400, subject to the lower general threshold of £33,400.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
ONS has not published enough of the pay distribution for Energy plant operatives in UK to draw it. The figures we do hold are shown above.
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North West 2025 | — | — | £63,662 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Energy plant operatives operate boilers to produce hot water or steam and attend and operate compressors, turbines, electrical substations, switchboards and auxiliary plant and machinery to fuel nuclear reactors, drive blowers and pumps, electricity generators and other equipment.
Typical tasks
determines job requirements from switchboard attendant or operating instructions
opens valves and operates controls to regulate the flow of fuel to boiler or generating equipment
operates remote control panel to load fuel and remove discharged fuel elements from nuclear reactors
adjusts controls to maintain correct running speed of turbine or generator and monitors temperature and pressure controls on boilers
records instrument readings periodically and shuts down turbine/generator or boiler as demand decreases
carries out minor maintenance tasks and prescribed tests and reports any faults
Entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically by apprenticeship, incorporating technical training and practical experience. NVQs/ SVQs in Electrical Power Engineering at levels 2 and 3 and apprenticeships are available.