Opportunities for plastering careers are good with around 2,500 newly qualified workers needed in the next two years. You can work for specialist plastering firms, building contractors, local authorities and other public organisations. Many plasterers are self-employed and work as sub-contractors, working as 'labour only' with the building contractor supplying materials.
Plastering careers can include working on everything from large commercial developments to small-scale domestic extensions, repairs and restoration.
Photo: Plastering Training
The two main types of plastering work are:
Solid plastering - Applying wet finishes to internal walls, ceilings and floors and putting protective coverings like pebble-dashing on external walls with hand tools and spraying equipment.
Fibrous plastering - Making ornamental plasterwork such as ceiling roses, cornices, ornamental columns and architraves from a mixture of plaster and short fibres. These often follow drawings from an architect, artist or interior designer, using tools like moulds and casts.
A third, rapidly-growing area of work for plasterers is dry lining. This general term is used to describe the fixing of internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions. Plasterers who do this kind of work (often known as 'dry liners') fix wall and floor partitions by fastening boards together on a timber or metal frame ready for decorating - this is often referred to as "Dotting and Dabbing".
Plasterer hours and environment
If you are becoming a plasterer you will need to work a 39 hour week, Monday to Friday, although overtime during weekends or evenings may be necessary to meet deadlines.
As a solid plasterer or dry liner, you will work indoors which may include working in partially completed buildings. If you work as a fibrous plasterer, you are usually in a workshop but may go on some site visits.
You may have to work at heights from ladders, platforms or scaffolding, depending on the job so becoming a plasterer is not for the faint-hearted. During your plastering career you will travel from site to site on contracts and some jobs may involve working away from home for periods of time.
Plasterers skills and interests
Below are a few attributes that help to make a good plasterer:
good practical skills to work with tools
ability to work quickly, accurately and as part of a team
numeric skills for calculating surface areas and volumes of material
creative ability for fibrous plastering and other decorative work
a reasonable level of fitness
an awareness of health and safety issues
Plastering training
For plastering training you do not need any set entry requirements, but employers tend to want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, then you may want to consider working as a plasterer's mate or labourer as part of your plastering training to gain site experience.
You may be able to get into this job through plastering training on a plastering apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you will need some GCSE grades in subjects, such as maths, English and design technology or equivalent vocational qualifications like the Edexcel Introductory Certificate or Diploma in Construction.
Plastering training can take the shape of college plastering courses. These can teach you some of the skills needed for the job but employers may still want to see some site experience. Plastering training includes:
City & Guilds Basic Skills in Construction Award (Plastering - 6217)
Intermediate Construction Award (Dry Lining)
Intermediate/Advanced Award (Plastering)
Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for Employment (Plastering)
Once you are working as a plasterer you can have plastering training on the job with day or block release at a local college or training provider. This leads to the NVQ/SVQ in Plastering at levels 1 to 3. Units include:
producing internal and external plastering finishes
applying and fixing dry lining boards
producing castings
fixing and repairing fibrous components
contributing to efficient working practices
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
The CSCS allows you to prove to employers and contractors that you are qualified to do your job competently and safely. Many construction firms and their clients will now insist that your plastering training includes holding a relevant CSCS card to work on site. To get your card you must hold an NVQ/SVQ or acceptable equivalent and pass a health and safety assessment.
Your card is graded according to your plastering training, qualifications and experience. If you are an experienced worker without formal qualifications, you can use On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) to get a CSCS card.
Plasterers annual income
These plastering career figures are intended as a guideline only. After plastering training you can expect to earn:
Starting salaries between £14,000 and £17,000 a year
Qualified plasterers earn between £17,500 and £22,000
Experienced plasterers can earn upwards of £26,000 a year
NB self-employed plasterers negotiate their own rates.
Plastering links
CSCS - Construction Skills Certification Scheme
England Apprenticeships - find England apprenticeships
If you are book some plastering training then good luck with becoming a plasterer and your future plastering career!