Steeplejack

Steeplejacks repair and maintain tall structures like industrial chimneys, towers, high rise blocks, monuments and bridges.

Also known as: Lightning conductor engineer

• Starter salary£23,000 a year
• Experienced£38,000 a year
• Typical hours42 to 44 a week

What you'll do

As a steeplejack, you could:

• assemble scaffolding, mobile work platforms and industrial harnesses
• carry out building inspections, sometimes with drones
• repair or replace roofing, glass, masonry and leadwork
• paint structures and refurbish mechanisms like clockfaces
• dismantle or demolish tall chimneys or buildings
• install lightning conductors and aircraft warning lights on tall structures

Working environment

You could work on high rise buildings, on a construction site, at a power station or at monuments and castles.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height, dusty and physically demanding.

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
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to work well with your hands
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to become a steeplejack

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a construction, engineering or heritage conservation company to give you some of the skills needed to be a steeplejack.

Apprenticeships include:

• Steeplejack Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Lightning Protection Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Engineering Construction Erector Rigger Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Fall Protection Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

Direct application

You can apply directly to become a steeplejack. Employers may ask for GCSEs, or equivalent, in maths, English, science or design and technology.

Experience in general construction, scaffolding, roofing or electrical work may give you an advantage.

If you want to work as a lightning conductor engineer, you'll need maths skills and a basic understanding of electrical theory.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• be able to cope with working at height
• have a good level of fitness

You'll usually need a full driving licence, as you'll be expected to travel to jobs all around the country.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could become a:

• team manager
• safety inspector
• lightning systems test engineer
• contracts manager

You might also go self-employed and run 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

• Construction & Trades: pay, interviews and getting started →

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