Fairground workers operate rides and carry out maintenance.
What does a fairground worker do?
A fairground worker's duties could include:
- operating and supervising rides, often as part of a team
- making announcements over a public address system
- carrying out safety checks on the rides before the park opens
- doing small repairs
- general cleaning work
What do I need to do to become a fairground worker?
You do not usually need any qualifications to operate rides or attractions at theme parks or fairgrounds, but many employers will prefer you to be aged 18 or over. You might be able to start at 16 on smaller, children’s rides. Another way into this work is to join a theme park or fairground as part of the ticketing and admissions team or catering services. With experience and training, you could then move into rides operation.
Where to find out more
Where could I be working?
You would find most jobs with the 100 or so principal theme and leisure parks in the UK, where around 20,000 people are employed. There are also several hundred smaller parks.