Dryliner
Dryliners use plasterboard and panels to build internal walls, suspended ceilings and raised flooring in houses, offices and shops.
Also known as: Drylining fixer
- Starter salary£22,000 a year
- Experienced£43,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a dryliner, you'll:
- measure and cut plasterboard to the right size, following plans
- fix panels to timber and metal frames, or to ceiling joists, using studs
- cut panels to fit around doorways and create openings for windows
- seal joints using tape, filler or adhesive
- apply a thin layer of plaster over panels and joints, known as skimming
- sand down work areas ready for painting and decorating
- dispose of any building waste safely
Working environment
You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and at height.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a dryliner
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You could take a college course to get some of the skills you need in this job. Courses include:
- drylining
- construction skills - drylining
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 training in the workplace and off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Work
You could join a company as a dryliner's labourer or 'mate'. Your employer may be willing to put you through training while you work to become a qualified dryliner.
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got on-site construction experience in joinery, plastering or ceiling fixing.
Restrictions and requirements
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience and further training, you could move into:
- site management
- estimating
- plastering
- drylining quantity surveying
You could also train apprentices in further education or set up your own business.
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
Related roles
- Job rolePlasterer
- Job rolePainter and decorator
- Job roleTiler
- Job roleCarpenter
- Job roleConstruction labourer
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0