Horizontal drilling machine operator vacancies in Belgium
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What does a horizontal drilling machine operator do?
How do I become a horizontal drilling machine operator? See the guideAs a horizontal drilling machine operator you carry out horizontal drilling with machines to lay cables or sewers underground. Working as a drilling machine driver or drilling foreman, you install the drilling structure, organise the workstation and carry out first line maintenance on the machines and equipment. You register the drilling data, finish the boreholes and always work safely and with respect for the environment. This is outdoor, hands-on machine work on civil engineering sites. Across Belgium, construction and public works companies rely on this profile to install underground infrastructure without opening up whole streets.
Typical tasks
- Install the drilling structure
- Organise and set up the workstation
- Carry out first line maintenance on machines and equipment
- Register the drilling data
- Finish the boreholes
- Work safely and with respect for the environment
Required skills
- Technical feeling for machines and civil engineering work
- Physically fit for outdoor work in all weather
- VCA safety certificate is standard on construction sites
- Accurate registration and reading of drilling data
- Ability to work as part of a drilling team
What does a horizontal drilling machine operator earn?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €19–€25 gross per hour. Experience with controlled drilling, extra certificates and site allowances influence where you sit in the range. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
How to apply via Werkvolk?
- Download the appInstall the free Werkvolk app for iOS or Android.
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Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying via Werkvolk.
What does a horizontal drilling machine operator do?
A horizontal drilling machine operator carries out horizontal drilling with machines to lay cables or sewers underground. You install the drilling structure, organise the workstation and register the drilling data. You also finish the boreholes and carry out first line maintenance on the machines, always working safely and with respect for the environment.
How much does a horizontal drilling machine operator earn in Belgium?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €19–€25 gross per hour. Experience with controlled drilling, extra certificates and site allowances influence where you sit in the range. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
Is there strong demand for horizontal drilling machine operators in Flanders?
Yes, the roll out and renewal of cables, utility pipes and sewers keeps this trench free drilling work in steady demand across Flanders. Machine operators who can read the ground and drill accurately are scarce and valued on public works sites. Experience with controlled drilling and micro tunneling strengthens your position further.
What qualifications do you need as a horizontal drilling machine operator?
You usually start with a technical background and learn the machine work on the job under an experienced drilling foreman. A VCA safety certificate is standard on construction sites, and depending on the machine a specific driving or operating attestation may be required. Employers often provide the machine specific training you need for controlled drilling.
Can you start as a horizontal drilling machine operator without experience?
You can start without drilling experience as an assistant on the drilling team, provided you are technically minded and fit for outdoor work. You then learn to install the drilling structure and read the data alongside experienced colleagues before you operate the machine yourself. A willingness to learn and reliability on site matter more at the start than years of experience.
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