Plastering Apprentice

The work of a plasterer includes the application of plaster to internal and external wall surfaces and ceilings, to produce a seamless fine finished surface. Plastering also involves the application of protective and decorative coats of cement based material and similar material to external surfaces of buildings. A plasterer’s work includes the preparation of surfaces by fastening metal or plasterboard to form a key or background for plastering. Individual craftpersons often specialise in particular skills such as mouldwork, slating and tiling, suspended ceilings and metal systems. At the end of the apprenticeship, the craftsperson will be able to demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Preparation of backgrounds

• Scudding

• Rendering and floating sand/cement

• Floating lightweight/plasters

• Cutting and fixing plasterboards

• Fixing metal beads using expanded metal

• Skimming walls and ceilings

• Dotting and screeding

• Floating with soft screeds

• Fixing rules for reveals/plinths and quoinstones

• Plastering piers, beams and curved surfaces

• Dry lining, taping joints

• Cutting and fixing fibrous plaster

• Plaster moulding

• Squaring and margining of reveals

• Floating and skimming

• Erecting scaffolding

• Safety

• Use of metal systems

Specialist Skills

• Decorative plasterwork

• Metal systems

• Suspended ceilings

• Roofing

• Floor screeds

• Tiling

Common Skills

• Measuring/setting out

• Use of tools

• Care of tools

• Ordering materials

• Safety

• Costing/estimating

• Reading and producing drawings

• Plumbing, ranging and use of level

• Knowledge of materials

Personal Skills

Planning work • Organising work • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Using own initiative in problem solving • Ability to gather information • Ability to adapt to changing work practices and conditions • Interview technique