Will AI replace Rail construction and maintenance operatives?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 46 official task statements scored for Rail construction and maintenance operatives (United Kingdom, SOC 8153), 2% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 6 out of 100 (range 4–11, 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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Maintain required records for asset management” (66/100, high); “Gather and interpret technical information, such as drawings and plans, needed for rail engineering activities” (49/100, partial); “Report and escalate common problems that are identified during engineering activities” (48/100, partial). 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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” stay human?

About 94% 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: “String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails for alignment or levelling” (0/100, minimal); “Move equipment, material, and waste using safe manual and mechanical handling techniques” (0/100, minimal); “Identify, locate, and excavate around underground services to avoid strikes and loss of service” (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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 2% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 94% 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 Rail construction and maintenance operatives 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 46 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.

UK dataswitch to US

Rail construction and maintenance operatives

identifying track issues to ensure rail safety, taking responsibility for the safety of the team and adjusting controls of machines that spread. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: assisting with installing light railway track is work software can't reach.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 2%
changing shape: 4%
staying human: 94%

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

Whole-job exposure score 6 out of 100 (4–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, across 46 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 rail construction and maintenance operatives 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 2026-08-05. Read the full method.

What shifts is maintaining required records for asset management: the overhead at the edges, not the middle you trained for.

Your week, as this page understands it

Rail construction and maintenance operatives lay, re-lay, repair and examine railway track and maintain surrounding areas. The job title says “rail construction” or “maintenance operatives”: officially one job, two names. The real job is the part underneath: assisting with installing light railway track. 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 rail construction and maintenance operatives is not one task. It is 46 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is assisting with installing light railway track, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 2%
changing shape: 4%
staying human: 94%

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

How we know this

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 2026-08-05. 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.

11 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.

Shifting to AI

1 task

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.

Maintaining required records for asset management
This is reading one thing and writing another: required records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Maintain required records for asset management.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 allowing for uncertainty): high 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: Asset records are structured entries that rail asset systems capture and report on automatically.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.

Changing shape

2 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.

Gathering and interpreting technical information
The software now makes the first pass at technical information, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Gather and interpret technical information, such as drawings and plans, needed for rail engineering activities.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (42–56 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: Pulling the right details out of drawings and plans is document work that software now does quickly and accurately.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reporting and escalating common problems that are identified during engineering activities
The software now makes the first pass at common problems, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Report and escalate common problems that are identified during engineering activities.” (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: Reporting recurring engineering problems is written work that can largely be drafted from records.
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.

Staying human

43 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.

Identifying track issues to ensure rail safety
This work happens in the physical world: track issues, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Identify track issues to ensure rail safety.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 11 out of 100 (4–18 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sensors and measurement trains help, but operatives still walk the track to find and confirm faults.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · 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.
Adhering to established safe working practices
This work happens in the physical world: established safe working practices, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Adhere to established safe working practices.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (6–14 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.
The rating behind it: Working safely on a live railway is something done with your body and attention trackside.
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 4/4.
Inspecting track for defects, broken rails and switch malfunctions
This work happens in the physical world: track, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
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 faulty switches means walking or riding the track and examining 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.
Assisting with installing light railway track
This work happens in the physical world: installing light railway track, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Assist with installing light railway track, points, switches, and crossings.” (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: Installing railway track and switches is physical construction 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 2/4.
Cutting rails to specified dimensions
This work happens in the physical world: rails, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Cut rails to specified dimensions.” (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: Cutting rails to length is physical 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.
Driving vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track
This work happens in the physical world: vehicles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.” (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: Driving a track-laying machine along the line is physical work done from the cab.
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.
Installing renew, enhance and modifying railway infrastructure to meet operational requirements
This work happens in the physical world: renew, enhance and modifying railway infrastructure, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Install, renew, enhance, and modify railway infrastructure to meet operational requirements.” (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: Renewing and modifying railway infrastructure is heavy physical work carried out on the track.
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 3/4.

Show the other 36 tasks

Investigating equipment failures to diagnose faulty operation
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: equipment failures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Investigate equipment failures to diagnose faulty operation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 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: Investigating why equipment failed is structured analysis, though evidence comes from the machine itself.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Implementing incident control procedures and completing incident control reports in line with organizational procedures
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: incident control procedures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Implement incident control procedures and complete incident control reports in line with organizational procedures.” (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: The report can largely be drafted from a template, but handling the incident itself happens on the ground.
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.
Verifying that track sections are at the correct height and properly
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: track sections, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Verify that track sections are at the correct height and properly spaced.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 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: The measurement rules are well documented, but the checking happens with instruments out on the track.
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.
Monitoring levelling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: indicator arms, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Monitor levelling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: The machine reports the readings, but an operator watches the indicators from the plant on the track.
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 switch-controlling mechanisms on tram wires and in track beds
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: mechanisms, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on tram wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.” (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: Checking switch mechanisms in the track bed means being there with hand tools and test gear.
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 tracks, carriages and engines for defects and to determine service needs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: tracks, carriages and engines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Inspect tracks, carriages, and engines for defects and to determine service needs.” (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: Checking track and rolling stock for defects means getting to the equipment and 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.
Implementing clearance procedures to ensure equipment safety during repairs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: clearance procedures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Implement clearance procedures to ensure equipment safety during repairs.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Isolating equipment safely is a controlled procedure that a competent person must carry out on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Completing integrity and compliance checks to ensure the quality and safety of completed work
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: integrity, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Complete integrity and compliance checks to ensure the quality and safety of completed work.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 6 out of 100 (2–10 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: Signing work back as safe means checking it on site, and a certified competent person must be the one who does that.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Minimising risk and ensuring the safety of both team and customers by following specific instructions
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: risk, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Minimise risk and ensure the safety of both team and customers by following specific instructions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 4 out of 100 (0–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Keeping a team safe on a live railway depends on people watching and acting in the moment.
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 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Taking responsibility for the safety of the team
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: responsibility, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Take responsibility for the safety of the team.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 4 out of 100 (0–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Holding safety responsibility for a track team is a named, trained role carried out on the ground.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Raising rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for sleeper removal and replacement
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: rails, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for sleeper removal and replacement.” (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: Jacking rails up to swap sleepers is heavy physical work on the track.
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.
Undertaking maintenance, construction and installation activities on rail assets according to engineering standards
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: maintenance, construction and installation activities, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Undertake maintenance, construction, and installation activities on rail assets according to engineering standards.” (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: Building and maintaining rail assets to engineering standards is physical work on the infrastructure.
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 3/4.
Welding sections of track together
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sections of track together, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 8153/00
Source: “Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.” (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: Welding rail sections together is a hands-on skill performed at the joint itself.
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.
Adjusting controls of machines that spread
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: controls of machines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.” (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 the controls of track machines means sitting at them on the railway.
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.
Carrying out minor repairs to rail machinery
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: minor repairs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Carry out minor repairs to rail machinery.” (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: Fixing rail machinery means getting hands on the equipment.
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.
Drilling holes through rails, tie plates or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes using power drills
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: holes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes using power drills.” (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: Drilling rails and fishplates with power drills is manual work on the steel.
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.
Engaging mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: mechanisms, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.” (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: Setting track-laying mechanisms to gauge is done by an operative at the machine.
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.
Grading ballast on railway tracks
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: ballast, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Grade ballast on railway tracks.” (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: Shaping ballast along the track is outdoor physical 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.
Installing, replacing or maintaining assets to specification
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: assets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Install, replace, or maintain assets to specification.” (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: Fitting, swapping or maintaining track assets is physical work on the railway itself.
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 3/4.
Operating single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into sleepers and secure rails
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: single-, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into sleepers and secure rails.” (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: Running a spike driving machine along the track is hands-on machine operation.
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 track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at rail joints
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: track wrenches, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at rail joints.” (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: Tightening rail joint bolts with a wrench is manual work at the joint.
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.
Repairing track geometry faults manually as part of a team
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: track geometry faults, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 8153/00
Source: “Repair track geometry faults manually as part of a team.” (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: Correcting track alignment by hand is physical work done as a team 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.
Assisting with installing steelwork structures
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: installing steelwork structures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Assist with installing steelwork structures, including Overhead Line Equipment (OLE).” (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: Installing overhead line steelwork is heavy construction work at the trackside.
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.
Cleaning tracks in rail and amusement settings
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: tracks, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Clean tracks in rail and amusement settings.” (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 track is physical work done on the rails themselves.
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.
Clearing obstructions from the path of travel
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: obstructions, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Clear obstructions from the path of travel.” (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: Removing obstructions from the line means physically shifting them.
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.
Grinding ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints using portable grinders
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: ends of new or worn rails, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints using portable grinders.” (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: Grinding rail ends smooth is done by hand with a portable grinder.
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.
Installing reinforced concrete for structures like tram stops
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: reinforced concrete, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Install reinforced concrete for structures like tram stops, retaining walls, and drainage systems.” (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: Pouring and fixing reinforced concrete structures is heavy site 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.
Operating tie-adzing machines to cut sleepers for fishplate insertion
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: machines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Operate tie-adzing machines to cut sleepers for fishplate insertion.” (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 a sleeper-cutting machine is physical work at the track.
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 set up, configure, lift, move and placing loads while minimizing the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: set up, configure, lift, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Safely set up, configure, lift, move, and place loads while minimizing the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area.” (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: Rigging, lifting and placing loads is physical work with the load and the lifting equipment.
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 3/4.
Using hand signals and act as a lookout when working on the railway to ensure team safety
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: hand signals, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 8153/00
Source: “Use hand signals and act as a lookout when working on the railway to ensure team safety.” (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: Acting as lookout means standing on the track watching for trains and signalling the team.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Changing oil in machines to ensure optimal performance
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: oil, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Change oil in machines to ensure optimal performance.” (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.
The rating behind it: Changing oil in machinery is physical 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 3/4.
Clearing ice or snow from points boxes
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: ice, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Clear ice or snow from points boxes.” (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: Clearing snow and ice from points is outdoor manual work in bad weather.
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.
Filling hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: hydraulic reservoirs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.” (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: Topping up hydraulic fluid means opening the machine and filling it.
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.
Identifying, locating and excavate around underground services to avoid strikes and loss of service
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: excavate around underground services, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Identify, locate, and excavate around underground services to avoid strikes and loss of service.” (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: Locating and digging around buried services is careful physical 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 2/4.
Moving equipment, material and waste using safe manual and mechanical handling techniques
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: equipment, material and waste, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “Move equipment, material, and waste using safe manual and mechanical handling techniques.” (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: Moving materials and waste is physical handling.
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.
String and attaching wire-guidelines machine to rails for alignment or levelling
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: wire-guidelines machine, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 8153/00
Source: “String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails for alignment or levelling.” (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: Running guide wires and fixing them to rails is physical set-up work 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.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £46,400a 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: 7,600in 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: required records in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: maintaining required records for asset management and gathering and interpreting technical information. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where installing light railway track 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: assisting with installing light railway track is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.

So, given all that: 2% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 4% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 94% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 46 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. Maintaining required records for asset management 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 required records, 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 installing light railway track is 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 gathering and interpreting technical information. 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 rail construction and maintenance operatives (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was rail and rolling stock builders and repairers: only about 15% of its durable work is work you already do. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 6/100 here, with only 2% of the task list in the top band, and “adhere to established safe working practices” 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.

Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “undertake maintenance, construction, and installation activities on rail assets according to engineering standards”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 15% 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 15% 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 →
Electrical and electronic trades 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: “install, renew, enhance, and modify railway infrastructure to meet operational requirements”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 6% 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 6% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Train and tram 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: “inspect tracks, carriages, and engines for defects and to determine service needs”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 5% 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 5% 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: 2% of its task weight, across 46 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 assisting with installing light railway track 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 Helpers, Construction Trades, 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 Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other, Highway Maintenance Workers and Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators. 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.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Skills Bootcamps
Free, up to 16 weeks, and you get a job interview at the end. In England these are Skills Bootcamps - search what's running near you.
Free for eligible adults in England
- Skills Bootcamps - what they are and who can do them (DfE, Skills for Careers)
- Skills Bootcamps - JobHelp (DWP)
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
- Skills Development Scotland
In Wales:
Careers Wales
In Wales it's Careers Wales.
Free, Welsh Government-funded
In Northern Ireland:
Careers Service Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland it's the Careers Service on nidirect.
Free, Department for the Economy-funded

Why there is no community here

Collab365, who build this site, run paid Spaces for a small number of subjects, and none of them is built for this job. We are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

So the free services listed on this page are the whole answer, and it is the same answer we would give a friend.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for rail construction / maintenance operatives 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 rail construction / maintenance operatives 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 rail construction / maintenance operatives existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

Your email

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for rail construction / maintenance operatives 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 Rail construction and maintenance operatives?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 46 official task statements scored for Rail construction and maintenance operatives (United Kingdom, SOC 8153), 2% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 6 out of 100 (range 4–11, 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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Maintain required records for asset management” (66/100, high); “Gather and interpret technical information, such as drawings and plans, needed for rail engineering activities” (49/100, partial); “Report and escalate common problems that are identified during engineering activities” (48/100, partial). 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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” stay human?: About 94% 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: “String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails for alignment or levelling” (0/100, minimal); “Move equipment, material, and waste using safe manual and mechanical handling techniques” (0/100, minimal); “Identify, locate, and excavate around underground services to avoid strikes and loss of service” (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 “Rail construction and maintenance operatives” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 2% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 94% 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 Rail construction and maintenance operatives 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 46 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.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
11 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 job Download this release Look 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 2026-08-05. 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.