Ceiling fixer
Ceiling fixers fit suspended ceilings that cover pipework, wiring, heating and air conditioning systems in buildings.
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a ceiling fixer, you could:
- read technical drawings to plan a job's tasks
- work from high access platforms, ladders or scaffolding
- measure, set out and cut aluminium frameworks that hold ceiling panels
- fit insulation materials into ceiling spaces
- use hand and power tools to install panels
- trim materials to fit around fixtures like lights
- create ceiling openings for tradespeople, like electricians, to get access
- fit partitioning, dry lining or raised access flooring
- check the quality of work
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, at a client's home or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be cramped and at height.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of maths
- physical fitness and endurance
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a ceiling fixer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could take a college course which may help you to get a trainee job. Courses include:
- construction skills
- construction operations
- interior systems
- dry lining
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an Interior Systems Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This typically takes 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You could apply directly to work as a ceiling fixer. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and design and technology. Experience as a construction labourer or tradesperson will be helpful.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into:
- site supervision
- estimating
- contract management
- health and safety
You could also set up your own business.
Career tips
It may help when looking for work, if you've got a powered access licence to operate mobile elevated platforms, though this is not essential.
Registration
- you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0