Scaffolder
Scaffolders put up scaffolding around buildings and structures so that tradespeople can carry out construction, renovation or demolition work.
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£51,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 50 a week
What you'll do
As a scaffolder, you would:
- unload scaffolding poles, boards and couplers from a lorry
- set down base plates and put up scaffolding, following a work plan
- secure scaffolding to the building or structure
- fix guard rails and safety nets, and make safety checks
- take down scaffolding at the end of a job
Working environment
You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or on a demolition site.
Your working environment may be at height, outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and you'll travel often.
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
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- concentration skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a scaffolder
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a pre-employment training scheme
College
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you need to get a trainee or apprenticeship position with a scaffolding or construction company.
Courses include:
- construction operations
- scaffolding
- T Level in Onsite Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Scaffolder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This can take up to 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend some time with a training provider off-site.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Work
You can join a company as a trainee scaffolder or scaffolding labourer, and do qualifications on the job.
Employers will look for a good general standard of education. GCSEs in maths, English, science and design and technology can be helpful, though not always essential.
Good communication skills, co-ordination, timekeeping and safety awareness will also be useful.
Other routes
You may be able to do a skills boot camp training course in scaffolding or construction. This would give you some of the skills needed to apply for a trainee scaffolder or scaffolder's labourer position with a construction company.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- be able to cope with working at height
- have a good level of fitness
Career path and progression
With experience and further training, you could become:
- an advanced scaffolder, supervising a scaffolding team
- a scaffolding designer, creating plans for scaffolding teams to follow
- a site safety inspector, carrying out safety checks and investigating incidents
- a contracts co-ordinator, working with clients and managing projects
You might also move into more general construction management or set up your own scaffolding business.
Registration
- you'll need a Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) safety card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Guides for this industry
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