How to become a production manager or director in mining and energy
Official title: Production managers and directors in mining and energy
Also called: Manager, Gas manager, Quarry manager, Oil rig manager, Service manager, Colliery manager, Planning manager, Technical director, Operations manager, Production manager, Operations director, Distribution manager
Production managers and directors in mining, energy and water supply plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources necessary for the extraction of minerals and other natural deposits, the utilisation of sustainable and renewable energy sources and the production, storage and provision of gas, water and electricity supplies.
Main tasks
- Co-ordinates the activities of mines and open-cast mining operations, quarries, drilling operations, offshore installations, solar power stations, wind farms and other renewable energy generating facilities
- Co-ordinates and supervises coal-face production activities and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations
- Determines staffing, material and other needs
- Ensures that all haulage, storage, purification and distribution work is performed efficiently and in compliance with statutory and other regulations
- Arranges for the provision of gas, water and electricity supplies
- Ensures compliance with issues relating to the environmental impact of operations
How to become one
There are no pre-set entry standards. Entry is possible with either GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades, a BTEC Diploma, an apprenticeship, NVQ (level 3), a degree or equivalent qualification with relevant experience. Off and on-the-job training is provided and can lead to professional qualifications.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £63,241 a year The middle half earn £48,898 to null.
- About 29,300 people work in this job now, and about 32,200 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a production manager or director in mining and energy?
There are no pre-set entry standards. Entry is possible with either GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades, a BTEC Diploma, an apprenticeship, NVQ (level 3), a degree or equivalent qualification with relevant experience. Off and on-the-job training is provided and can lead to professional qualifications.
How much does a production manager or director in mining and energy earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £63,241 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a production manager or director in mining and energy a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 29,300 to about 32,200 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a production manager or director in mining and energy?
Not always. 55% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03