Career Suggestion

Cavity insulation installer

Cavity insulation installers fit insulation, soundproofing materials and cladding in residential and commercial buildings.

Average salary (a year)

£24000.0 to £40000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

40.0 to 44.0

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could learn some relevant skills by doing a college course, such as:

  • construction and building crafts
  • insulation building treatments
  • construction operations

Completing a college course can help when looking for a trainee job.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an insulation or construction company.

These include:

  • Insulation Installation Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Commercial Thermal Insulation Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Industrial Thermal Insulation Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You could apply directly for jobs. Employers will usually look for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in subjects like English, maths, or design and technology.

Experience in construction, loft insulation, pipe lagging or building cladding would be helpful.

More Information

Registrations

you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Career Tips

You would fit materials in new buildings and upgrade or retrofit insulation in older ones.

You'll work on all types of premises from schools and hospitals to domestic properties.

Further Information

You can find out more about a career in cavity insulation from Go Construct .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Day-to-day tasks

As a cavity wall installer, you could:

  • carry out pre-installation surveys
  • make marks to locate and avoid ventilation, wiring and pipework in buildings
  • drill holes into walls and inject insulation materials into spaces
  • re-fill drill holes and re-point mortar
  • fit insulation materials in lofts and suspended ceilings
  • attach pre-formed cladding to buildings
  • remove and dispose of old materials safely
  • check all airbricks and flues are clear
  • make sure materials and methods meet building regulations

Working environment

You could work at a client's business, at a client's home or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be at height, cramped and physically demanding.

With experience, you could become a team leader, site supervisor or estimator. You might also set up your own insulation fitting business.

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