Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018 - 269

SKILLED TRADES

Plasterers
can find
themselves
working
on big
commercial
projects or in
a domestic
environment

to £40,000. If you decide to be selfemployed, you can set your own rates.

Plasterer
There are various types of plastering,
including solid (applying wet finishes to
surfaces and protective coverings such
as pebble-dash) to fibrous (plasterwork
such as ceiling roses, cornices and
architraves) and dry lining (fixing internal
plasterboard or wallboard partitions).
You could find yourself working on big
commercial projects or in a domestic
environment on new or existing homes.
What qualifications do I need? There
are no set requirements, but employers will
look for experience, which can be gained as
a plasterer's assistant. College courses are
also available. Plasterers need to work out
surface area measurements and volumes,
so a good grounding in maths is useful.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at
£14,000 to £18,000, rising to £25,000.

Plumber

up power, lighting, fire protection, security
and data-network systems; maintenance
electricians carry out checks to make
sure such systems are efficient and safe;
electro-technical panel builders make and
install control panels; and highway systems
electricians install and maintain street
lighting and traffic management systems.
What qualifications do I need? You'll
need to complete a level 3 electrical or
electro-technical qualification while
in a related job. Apprenticeships are
a popular option - completing a level
1 or level 2 qualification in electrical
installation may help you to find an one.
How much can I earn? Newly
qualified electricians earn between
£18,000 and £23,000 a year, which can
rise to between £25,000 and £35,000
with experience. Highly experienced
electricians can earn £42,000 or more.

Carpenter
As a "chippy", you could find yourself
doing everything from making and fitting

interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices
and public buildings to constructing stage
sets for theatre, film and TV productions.
Making and assembling fitted and freestanding furniture, installing kitchens,
cupboards and shelving or cutting and
shaping timber for floorboards, doors,
skirting boards and window frames,
making and fitting wooden structures
such as staircases, door frames, roof
timbers and partition walls, and building
temporary wooden supports to hold
setting concrete in place (shuttering) are
other common tasks in a trade that often
requires a certain amount of creative flair.
What qualifications do I need? You
can take a college course in joinery or
carpentry with or without taking an
apprenticeship. On-site experience and
qualifications are a bonus, but it is possible
to start as a joiner's mate or labourer and
on-the-job training may be available.
How much can I earn? Starting salaries
are between £16,000 and £24,000, while
experienced chippies can earn £25,000

Installing, servicing and repairing heating,
water and sanitation systems in domestic
and commercial premises form the basis
of a plumber's job. Day-to-day tasks may
include finding and fixing faults with water,
drainage and heating systems, servicing
gas and oil-fired heating systems, installing
and fixing showers and washing machines,
and dealing with emergency call-outs for
boiler breakdowns or blocked drains.
What qualifications do I need? An
apprenticeship will allow you to study
for an industry-recognised qualification
such as a level 2 or 3 diploma in domestic
plumbing and heating. You'll also need gasrelated units at level 3 if you want to work
with domestic gas heating systems. College
courses in plumbing will qualify you to
take up a trainee position with a company.
How much can I earn? Salaries
start at £15,000 to £20,000, rising to
£20,000 to £28,000 with experience.
Those who are highly experienced
can earn more than £40,000.

Find out more
* Apprenticeships
apprenticeships.org.uk
* Go Construct
goconstruct.org
* Women On The Tools
womenonthetools.org.uk

JOBS & CAREERS /// 269
http://apprenticeships.org.uk http://www.goconstruct.org http://womenonthetools.org.uk
Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018

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