The Job and What's Involved

Plasterers:

• apply coats of plaster to walls, floors and ceilings of buildings, using trowels and floats.
• fix laths and wire mesh to ceiling joists and stud walls.
• fix sheets of plaster board to internal walls.
• tape joints (known as dry lining).
• make partitions with plaster boards.
• prepare screeds (the base on which floor coverings are laid).
• form skirting and coves in cement and sand.

Although most plastering is done indoors, plasterers may also be involved in the plastering and applications of finishes for exterior walls such as wet and dry pebble dashing and artificial stonework. Fibrous plastering consists of the making of decoration in a workshop by casting specially made decorative mouldings and fixing them to walls, ceilings and columns inside and outside buildings.

Education and Training

A good standard of English and maths is very important and additional qualifications will help the applicant's progress. Training is available under the Jobskills training programme and applicants can take a Modern Apprenticeship while completing a Construction Craft Apprenticeship.  Training is normally approved by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). Applicants are usually under 17. Details are advertised in the local press and further information is available from T&EA Job Centres.

Selection for apprentices is through aptitude test and interview.

Apprentice Training Programme

Stage 1 Full-time training at a training organisation, with on-site work experience, working towards NVQ level 2.

Stage 2 Full-time employment, with off-the-job training and achievement of NVQ level 2.

Stage 3 Full-time employment, with off-the-job training and achievement of NVQ level 3 and CSR skills/craft card.

During the training period the apprentices will be tested, assessed and monitored. The assessment will be of a practical nature with job knowledge (theory) built in. The National Record of Achievement (NRA) will be used by the apprentice to record all the training experience and attainment of standards during the training period.

At the end of 78 weeks (approx.) an NVQ level 2 has usually been achieved and after a further 78 weeks (approx.) apprentices should have achieved NVQ level 3 - essential for recognition of craftsperson status and attainment of a CSR Craft Card.

While with the training organisation, a training allowance is paid and when with the employer, an apprentice should receive the wages at a rate laid down by the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

Construction Skills Register

Whilst completing a recognised apprenticeship training scheme the applicant is eligible for registration on the Construction Skills Register (CSR). Once registered, the applicant is issued with a Registration Card. As an applicant progresses through NVQ level 2 and 3, they can upgrade to a Skills Card and ultimately a Craft Card. The registration scheme recognises the apprentice's level of competence and helps raise the standards of workmanship.

Personal Qualities

As plastering entails hard, physical work, those wishing to enter the trade should have good health and be reasonably fit. They should be able to work quickly but carefully to produce flat, smooth plasterwork. They must be willing to work in conditions which can sometimes be cold and dirty and must be able to work at heights on scaffolding and trestles. Plasterers work as part of a team and should be prepared to work away from home at times.

Prospects

Plasterers work for construction companies ranging in size from large multinational companies to small firms with less than 10 employees. Projects may involve contracts for the public sector - office premises, hospitals, schools, private housing and business developments plus alteration and repair work.

In the plastering trade there are some prospects for promotion to responsible positions such as Charge-hand or Foreperson, or positions as instructors in Training Centres or in Further Education Colleges. Some plasterers set themselves up as sub-contractors and some go on to become Clerks of Works. Many are self-employed.

Get Further Information

Construction Industry Training Board, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road,
Crumlin, County Antrim BT29 4SR  Tel: (028) 9082 4203/9082 5466
Website: www.citbni.org.uk

Construction Employers' Federation Ltd, 143 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SU
Tel: (028) 9087 7143  Website: www.cefni.co.uk

 

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.