Plasterer
Plasterers apply plaster to walls and ceilings ready for decorating and finishing.
- Starter salary£21,000 a year
- Experienced£38,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a plasterer, you'll:
- estimate the amount of materials needed for a job
- prepare surfaces and level off uneven areas
- mix plaster to the right consistency by hand or with an electric mixer
- apply 'wet' finishes to walls and ceilings
- create ornamental features like ceiling roses, cornices and architraves
- fit internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions in rooms
- coat outside walls with protective coverings like pebble dash or render
Working environment
You could work at a client's home, on a construction site or at a client's business.
Your working environment may be 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 your hands
- the ability to work well with others
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- 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 plasterer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You can do a college course that will teach you some of the skills needed for the job. Courses include:
- plastering
- construction skills - plastering
- T Level in On Site Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Onsite Trades Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Plasterer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Craft Plasterer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Work
You can begin working as a plasterer's labourer or 'mate'. You may not need formal qualifications but some employers look for on-site construction experience.
Your employer may then offer you the chance to take training on the job to qualify as a plasterer.
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
- be able to cope with working at height
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move to a supervisory job, or into related areas like:
- dry lining
- tiling or ceiling fixing
- estimating
- heritage conservation
- site management
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 roleDryliner
- Job roleTiler
- Job roleConstruction labourer
- Job roleKitchen and bathroom fitter
- Job roleCeiling fixer
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