Roadmarker Ringa Tohu Papa

Roadmarkers use machines to apply markings to roads and surfaces such as car parks and sports courts.

Roadmarker assistants may do some or all of the following:

  • control traffic
  • lay out traffic cones to protect markings, and pick them up 
  • check machinery and make minor repairs
  • load trucks with equipment and supplies.

Roadmarker operators may also:

  • drive roadmarking trucks
  • operate roadmarking machines to renew or install markings such as paint, rumble strips and cat's eyes
  • manage health and safety and environmental control
  • measure, assess and record their work
  • supervise a team.

Physical Requirements

Roadmarkers need to be reasonably fit and strong as they do heavy lifting.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for roadmarkers includes:

  • labouring work
  • driving heavy vehicles
  • maintaining machinery.

Personal Qualities

Roadmarkers need to be:

  • independent
  • able to work well in a team
  • able to concentrate and stay alert for long periods when driving vehicles
  • good at following instructions
  • accurate, with an eye for detail.

Skills

Roadmarkers need to have:

  • knowledge of traffic control
  • knowledge of different types of roadmarkings and how to apply them
  • the ability to operate and repair their machinery
  • driving skills.

Conditions

Roadmarkers:

  • may work regular business hours, night shifts or extended hours
  • work on roads, motorways, car parks, sports courts and factories
  • work in conditions that may be noisy, dusty, dirty, dangerous, hot or cold
  • travel locally to work sites and may stay away from home at times.

Subject Recommendations

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a roadmarker. However, maths, English, construction and mechanical technologies, and physical education are useful.

Roadmarkers can earn around $23-$40 per hour.

Pay for roadmarkers varies depending on experience, responsibility, and where they work.

  • Roadmarker assistants usually earn between minimum wage and a little more.
  • Skilled roadmarkers, known as operators, can earn up to $40 an hour.

Pay rates may increase as roadmarkers gain qualifications, heavy vehicle licences and dangerous goods endorsements, and first aid certificates.

Source: New Zealand Roadmarkers Federation, 2018.

Roadmarkers usually start as roadmarker assistants, doing traffic control, and progress to work as skilled operators.

They may choose instead to specialise as Site Traffic Management Supervisors (STMS). 

Skilled operators can become supervisors or managers. 

Years Of Training

There are no specific requirements to become a roadmarker. They usually start as roadmarker assistants and receive traffic control training to work in temporary traffic management.

Most employers prefer that roadmarkers:

  • have experience in traffic control
  • are at least 18 years old
  • have a full driver's licence
  • can pass a pre-employment drugs test.

A heavy vehicle licence (Class 2 to 4) for driving roadmarking trucks, and holding a dangerous goods endorsement (D) are useful.

Roadmarkers gain skills on the job and may train for New Zealand Certificates in Roadmarking Assistant (Levels 2, 3 and 4) 

You can apply for Civil Trades Certification, which leads to registration as a certified tradesperson, if you have either:

  • an approved Level 4 qualification and 8,000 hours (around four years) of practical experience
  • at least five years' experience in the industry and documentation, such as a logbook, to prove you have a high skill level.
Roadmarker