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Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.

using proper communication techniques, reporting identified problems to supervisors and observing approaching vessels to determine size. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges is work software can't reach.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

What shifts is logging sales or delivery information on daily record: the overhead at the edges, not the middle you trained for.

Your week, as this page understands it

Job holders in this unit group monitor the activities of bus drivers, conductors and other road transport depot drivers, undertake various tasks related to water transportation, and perform other transportation tasks not elsewhere classified in minor group 823: Other drivers and transport operatives. The job title says “other drivers” or “transport operatives n.e.c.”: officially one job, two names. The real job is the part underneath: operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. is not one task. It is 31 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI
8%
changing shape
9%
staying human
83%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 13 out of 100 (10–19 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, across 31 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

Shifting to AI

3 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

  • Logging sales or delivery information on daily record

    This is reading one thing and writing another: sales in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.

    importance 65 · 8239/00
    Source: “Log sales or delivery information on daily record.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Recording daily sales and deliveries is routine data entry that tills and apps already handle.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Recording names of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks

    This is reading one thing and writing another: names of vessels in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.

    importance 60 · 8239/00
    Source: “Record names of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Logging which vessels passed is simple record-keeping that tracking systems already do.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Recording numbers of trains crossing bridges

    This is reading one thing and writing another: numbers of trains crossing bridges in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.

    importance 55 · 8239/00
    Source: “Record numbers of trains crossing bridges.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Counting and logging train crossings is simple counting that equipment already does.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

3 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

  • Reporting identified problems to supervisors

    The software now makes the first pass at identified problems, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Report identified problems to supervisors as necessary.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Writing up a fault and passing it on is straightforward reporting work software can draft.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Recording and reporting accidents

    The software now makes the first pass at accidents, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 65 · 8239/00
    Source: “Record and report accidents.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 42 out of 100 (38–46 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Recording and reporting an accident is structured form work that software drafts well from the details.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Monitoring and recording environmental changes for analysis

    The software now makes the first pass at environmental changes, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 55 · 8239/00
    Source: “Monitor and record environmental changes for analysis.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Sensors and logging software handle most of this, though someone checks the equipment.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

25 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

  • Using proper communication techniques, including standard marine vocabulary

    This work happens in the physical world: proper communication techniques, including standard marine vocabulary, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 90 · 8239/00
    Source: “Use proper communication techniques, including standard marine vocabulary, to communicate with other vessels and the harbour marine control centre.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Standard marine phrases are well documented, but the calls are made from the vessel by a certificated operator.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges

    This work happens in the physical world: machinery, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 85 · 8239/00
    Source: “Operate machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating a drawbridge means being in the control cabin working the machinery.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Turning valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks

    This work happens in the physical world: valves, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 85 · 8239/00
    Source: “Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Turning lock valves is physical work at the lock side.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Driving lorries to deliver food

    This work happens in the physical world: lorries, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8239/00
    Source: “Drive lorries to deliver food, medical supplies, or newspapers to specified destinations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Driving a lorry to a delivery point is physical work at the wheel on public roads.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Show the other 21 tasks

  • Observing approaching vessels to determine size

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: vessels, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 19 out of 100 (12–26 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Radar and vessel tracking already report size and speed, though the operator still watches from the station.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Operating controls to activate traffic signals

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: controls, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 75 · 8239/00
    Source: “Operate controls to activate traffic signals.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (2–26 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, low confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Signal timing can be worked out automatically, but the operator presses the controls based on what they can see.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: whistle signals indicating desire, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 55 · 8239/00
    Source: “Listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (1–25 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, low confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: A microphone could pick up the signal, but as the job runs today the operator listens from the station.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Inspecting track for defects, broken rails and switch malfunctions

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: track, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 50 · 8239/00
    Source: “Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Finding broken rails and switch faults means being on the track looking at it.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Inspecting canal and bridge equipment for damage or defects

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: canal, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8239/00
    Source: “Inspect canal and bridge equipment for damage or defects.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (0–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Finding damage in canal and bridge gear means walking it and looking closely.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Checking that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: bridges are clear of vehicles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 5 out of 100 (0–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Confirming a bridge is clear of people and cars relies on someone looking at it right before it opens.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Directing movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: movements of vessels, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 5 out of 100 (0–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Directing vessels means watching them from the site and signaling in the moment, which software cannot do from a desk.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating machinery to open and close canal locks and dams

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: machinery, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8239/00
    Source: “Operate machinery to open and close canal locks and dams.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Opening and closing locks and dams is hands-on work at the structure.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Stopping car and pedestrian traffic on bridges

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: car, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8239/00
    Source: “Stop car and pedestrian traffic on bridges.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Holding back traffic and pedestrians requires someone physically there.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Conducting marine craft operations, including towing, personnel transfer and hydrographic surveying, in accordance with port specific guidelines

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: marine craft operations, including towing, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 75 · 8239/00
    Source: “Conduct marine craft operations, including towing, personnel transfer, and hydrographic surveying, in accordance with port specific guidelines.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Towing, transfers and survey runs are carried out from the boat by a licensed boatmaster.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Responding to and managing fire and emergency situations onboard vessels

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: and managing fire, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 75 · 8239/00
    Source: “Respond to and manage fire and emergency situations onboard vessels, utilizing emergency equipment and oil spill response procedures.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Fighting a fire at sea is physical, dangerous work done by the crew aboard.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Securing boats to docks with mooring lines

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: boats, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 75 · 8239/00
    Source: “Secure boats to docks with mooring lines.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Tying a boat to a dock is done by hand with ropes.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Loading and unloading goods from lorries for delivery and transporting operations

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: goods, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Load and unload goods from lorries for delivery and transport operations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Lifting goods on and off a lorry is hands-on work with the freight.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Maintaining lorries and food-dispensing equipment for operational efficiency

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: lorries, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Maintain lorries and food-dispensing equipment for operational efficiency.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Servicing a vehicle and its equipment is done with spanners in hand.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating ship loading and unloading equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: ship, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Operate ship loading and unloading equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating loading gear is done by someone at the controls on board.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Safelying steer and navigate different types of marine craft

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: steer, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8239/00
    Source: “Safely steer and navigate different types of marine craft, such as pilot boats, work boats, and survey boats, using navigational systems and equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Steering a work boat or pilot boat is physical work at the helm, and commercial craft need a licensed boatmaster.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Cleaning and lubricating equipment as part of machine maintenance

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 65 · 8239/00
    Source: “Clean and lubricate equipment as part of machine maintenance.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Cleaning and lubricating a machine is hands-on work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Embarking and disembarking a vessel while underway and alongside

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: a vessel while underway, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 65 · 8239/00
    Source: “Embark and disembark a vessel while underway and alongside, using survival techniques in water if necessary.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Stepping between moving vessels is about as physical as work gets.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Assisting in vessel mooring, anchoring and securing operations

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: vessel mooring, anchoring and securing operations, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8239/00
    Source: “Assist in vessel mooring, anchoring, and securing operations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Mooring and anchoring a vessel is rope and deck work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Lowering drawbridges and raise vehicle barriers for road traffic

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: drawbridges, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8239/00
    Source: “Lower drawbridges and raise vehicle barriers for road traffic.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Working bridge and barrier machinery requires someone at the controls on site.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Monitoring gangways to prevent unauthorised boarding of ships in port

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: gangways, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8239/00
    Source: “Monitor gangways to prevent unauthorised boarding of ships in port.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Guarding a gangway means someone standing there able to stop people.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay
£35,700a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this

Source: ashe-t14

Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)

Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.

People doing this job
22,600in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: names of vessels in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: logging sales or delivery information on daily record and recording names of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where machinery gets done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Start with what does not change: operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.

So, given all that: 8% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 9% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 83% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 31 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

So the thing worth your attention is not the job going away. It is the layer around it. Logging sales or delivery information on daily record is the part turning into software, and being the person who understands that layer is worth money.

This week: one thing

Ask the one question. Find whoever is bringing new software into your workplace (the manager, the office, whoever runs the system) and ask them what it is meant to do to names of vessels, and what it is not meant to touch. Ten minutes, this week, before anyone decides it for you.

What you end up holding
a straight answer about what is actually being rolled out, and when
How long it takes
ten minutes

If there’s nobody obvious to ask, or you’d rather not ask your manager: Put the same question to your union rep, your shift lead or the person who has been there longest, in person, over a break. Same ten minutes, same answer, and you will usually get a straighter one. Write down what they say. The note is the artifact, and it tells you whether proper communication techniques, including standard marine vocabulary are in scope or not. Nothing to log into, no licence needed.

Over the next 90 days

Get inside the tool rollout rather than waiting for it. Over the next ninety days, ask to be in the group that tests, checks or signs off whatever new system arrives near reporting identified problems to supervisors. It is usually an unglamorous seat that nobody fights for, and it is the one that decides how the software is used on your job rather than to it.

Over the next 12 months

On this evidence I would not retrain out of this job, and I will say that plainly rather than hedge it. The task list here is dominated by work that stays with a person. What I would do with a year is get formally recognised for the layer around it (the systems, the compliance, the planning), so you are the one who understands the software instead of the one it is done to. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was heavy and large goods vehicle drivers: only about 11% of its durable work is work you already do. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 13/100 here, with only 8% of the task list in the top band, and “use proper communication techniques” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

  • Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “drive lorries to deliver food, medical supplies, or newspapers to specified destinations”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 11% of the work in that job the software is not taking.

    Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 11% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Marine and waterways transport operatives

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “assist in vessel mooring, anchoring, and securing operations”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 10% of the work in that job the software is not taking.

    Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 10% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Road transport drivers n.e.c.

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “drive lorries to deliver food, medical supplies, or newspapers to specified destinations”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 9% of the work in that job the software is not taking.

    Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 9% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

  • The headline number you read somewhere

    The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 8% of its task weight, across 31 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.

  • The headlines about your trade disappearing

    They are usually about the technology, not the timetable. Changes to work like operating machinery to operate railway or motorway drawbridges arrive through rules, insurance and money, slowly and visibly. This page tracks the task evidence and will move when it moves.

  • Retraining out of a job that is holding up

    On this evidence I would not spend money leaving. Spend it on the layer around the job instead: the tools, the paperwork, the planning. That is where the change actually is.

  • The “obvious” next job everyone suggests

    I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other, Aircraft Service Attendants and Transportation Workers, All Other. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c., and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 8% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

Try The AI Authority free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c.. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c. launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No Space for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c. yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c. existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for other drivers / transport operatives n.e.c. launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.?
Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 31 official task statements scored for Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. (United Kingdom, SOC 8239), 8% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 13 out of 100 (range 10–19, band: minimal). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.” can AI already do?
The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Log sales or delivery information on daily record” (69/100, high); “Record names of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks” (69/100, high); “Record numbers of trains crossing bridges” (69/100, high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.” stay human?
About 83% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Monitor gangways to prevent unauthorised boarding of ships in port” (0/100, minimal); “Lower drawbridges and raise vehicle barriers for road traffic” (0/100, minimal); “Assist in vessel mooring, anchoring, and securing operations” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.” do about AI?
Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 8% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 83% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c. calculated?
Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 31 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

  • Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
  • This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
  • 2 rows are marked low confidence, so treat them as a ballpark rather than a fine measurement.
  • The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
  • 9 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
  • Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.
Task statements
gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights
gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores
Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment
ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

How we score a jobDownload this releaseLook up another job

Using these figures?

Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published . Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.