The Job and What's Involved

Concreters may be general site operatives working for a building contractor or they may work for a firm of specialist subcontractors. They generally work in gangs when engaged in major concreting work. Concrete is used for a variety of tasks, including in the construction of:

• Foundations.
• Ground floor slabs.
• Pathways and short drives.
• Columns and beams.

Concreters, or their employers, begin by providing the client with a quotation for the work to be done. The concrete gang is then given a work sheet detailing the required work and the timescale for doing it. On site, the gang would then:-

Prepare the appropriate areas for concreting by levelling and compacting the ground. This can include setting up the formwork, a temporary structure used to hold the concrete in place while it sets.

Take delivery of the concrete. Deliveries are often made early in the morning, especially for concrete slabs, as techniques such as floating and troweling (to give the slabs a level finish), can only be done once the concrete has started to harden in the sun.

After placing the concrete, compact it so that it is strong and durable. This involves removing air trapped in the concrete and is achieved through a process of vibration. Slabs are vibrated by surface (or beam) vibrators and thicker items are vibrated using poker vibrators.

Once the concrete is in place, compacted and finished, it has to be cured by wrapping or covering it in polythene sheeting. This prevents the concrete from drying out too quickly and creates a stronger overall structure.

Occasionally, when the formwork is taken off, air bubbles or other small imperfections are seen on the surface of the concrete. A specialist within the concrete gang would be trained to rectify these faults, generally by the application of small amounts of mortar.

Concreters use:

• Traditional hand tools such as picks, shovels, trowels and straight edges.
• Machinery such as drills, cement mixers, vibrators, rollers and mechanical power floats which they use for good surface compression.

Nearly all concrete is supplied to sites ready-mixed but occasionally the concrete gang has to produce its own concrete from cement, stone and water.

Working hours depend upon the job and vary considerably. Concreters usually work about 37 hours a week. This can include some early starts and late finishes. Overtime may be paid to employed workers.

The work may be on busy, large scale building sites or motorways, or on driveways of private houses. Some concreters may work inside, laying floors in large buildings. Conditions can be dusty and dirty and concreters work in all weathers.

Some bending, kneeling or crouching is involved in this job. Protective clothing and footwear may be provided by an employer. Self-employed concreters have to provide their own clothing for the building site, including items which are required by law, such as high visibility jackets, safety helmets and protective footwear.

Concreters, like other employees on construction sites, must be aware of health and safety requirements. The cement in the concrete can cause burning or inflammation so contact with the skin should be avoided.

Most concrete gangs travel to and from work in minibuses.

Vacancies are usually advertised in the local press, Connexions centres and in Jobcentre Plus offices.

Education and Training

It is possible to find work as a trainee concreter straight from school and train on the job.

Young people can also apply to become apprentices. GCSE's/S grades (A-E/1-5) in maths, design and technology and English are useful.

Apprenticeships which may be available in England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your local Connexions Partnership.

There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk, Careers Wales www.careerswales.com; and for Northern Ireland contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk.

It is important to bear in mind that pay rates for Apprenticeships do vary from area to area and between industry sectors.

NVQ's/SVQ's are also available and can be studied on the job. For those who find it difficult to get the workplace experience they need for an NVQ/SVQ, it is possible to study for a Foundation Construction Award. These are available at colleges in conjunction with an Apprenticeship programme.

Adult Entry

It is possible to train as a concreter at any age, but it is a job that requires a good level of physical fitness.

Training

Most training is provided on the job by more experienced colleagues. Apprenticeships offer a structured training programme leading to NVQ's/SVQ's. There are also opportunities to go to college or a training centre to gain qualifications. NVQ's/SVQ's Levels 1 and 2 are available in Trowel Occupations, Erection of Precast Concrete (Construction), Specialist Concrete Occupations, Concrete Repair and Sprayed Concrete.

Personal Qualities

Concreters need:

• Good hand skills for laying and finishing concrete.
• A careful, methodical and accurate approach.
• An aptitude for maths - important for measuring and calculating quantities of materials.
• An awareness of health and safety requirements.
• Be able to work well as part of a team.
• To have tact, flexibility and a pleasant manner.
• Physical fitness for lifting and carrying.

Prospects

Concreters can move into more specialised areas of work such as concrete spraying or concrete repair. They can progress to supervisory or management positions. With experience it is possible to become self-employed.

There may also be opportunities to work abroad.

Get Further Information

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Englemere, Kings Ride, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7TB
Tel: 01344 630700  Website: www.ciob.org.uk

CITB-ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton Training Centre, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn,
Norfolk PE31 6RH  Tel: 0808 100 0055  Websites: www.citb.co.uk/careers (for careers advisers, teachers and adults) and www.bconstructive.co.uk (for young people)

The Concrete Centre, Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB  Tel: 0700 482 2822  Website: www.concretecentre.com

Construction Apprenticeship Scheme Helpline: 01485 577877.

The Institute of Concrete Technology, 4 Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB  Tel: 01276 37831  Website: www.ictech.org

Women and Manual Trades, 52-54 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8RT
Tel: 020 7251 9192  Website: www.wamt.org

 

Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.