8229 Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c.
Unit group 8229 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.
In short
- ONS unit group 8229, in minor group 822 (Mobile machine drivers and operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
- Going rate as the tables print it:
What the ONS says
Description
Job holders in this unit group supervise and undertake the operation of machines to transport, excavate, grade, level, and compact sand, earth, gravel and similar materials, drive piles into the ground and lay surfaces of asphalt, concrete and chippings, clear and cultivate land, to sow and harvest plants and crops, and operate other mobile machines not elsewhere classified in minor group 822: Mobile machine drivers and operatives.
Typical entry routes
No academic qualifications are required. On-the-job training is provided. The appropriate current driving licence will be required for driving on public highways.
Tasks
- fixes any necessary extensions onto machine and loads machine with asphalt, concrete, bitumen, tar, stone chippings or any other required materials
- manipulates levers, pedals and switches to manoeuvre vehicle, regulate angle and height of blades, buckets and hammers and starts conveyor, suction or water spraying system
- watches operation and removes any likely obstacle or obstructions
- directs refilling of machine hopper and repeats operations as necessary
- operates tractors, combine harvesters or other farm vehicles, attaches plough, cultivator or other implements and adjusts depth, speed and height to requirements
- drives and operates machinery to plough, fertilise, plant, cultivate or harvest crops
- cleans, oils and greases machine and carries out minor repairs
Related job titles
- Agricultural machinist
- Digger driver
- Dredger
- Excavator driver
- JCB driver
- Plant operator
- Rig operator
- Tractor driver (agriculture)
What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says
The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.
Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes
- SOC 2020 occupation code
- 8229 Mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified
- Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
- Agricultural machinist
- Digger driver
- Dredger
- Excavator driver
- JCB driver
- Plant operator
- Rig operator
- Tractor driver (agriculture)
Other unit groups in minor group 822
Sources
Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.
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