You could take a college course which may help you to get a trainee job. Courses include:
- construction skills
- construction operations
- interior systems
- dry lining
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Career Suggestion
Ceiling fixer
Ceiling fixers fit suspended ceilings that cover pipework, wiring, heating and air conditioning systems in buildings.
Average salary (a year)
£24000.0 to £45000.0 (starter to experienced)
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 44.0 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an Interior Systems Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This typically takes 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate 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 to work as a ceiling fixer. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and design and technology. Experience as a construction labourer or tradesperson will 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
It may help when looking for work, if you've got a powered access licence to operate mobile elevated platforms, though this is not essential.
Further Information
You can find out more about careers and training in construction from Go Construct.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of maths
- physical fitness and endurance
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
Day-to-day tasks
As a ceiling fixer, you could:
- read technical drawings to plan a job's tasks
- work from high access platforms, ladders or scaffolding
- measure, set out and cut aluminium frameworks that hold ceiling panels
- fit insulation materials into ceiling spaces
- use hand and power tools to install panels
- trim materials to fit around fixtures like lights
- create ceiling openings for tradespeople, like electricians, to get access
- fit partitioning, dry lining or raised access flooring
- check the quality of work
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 cramped and at height.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
With experience, you could move into:
- site supervision
- estimating
- contract management
- health and safety
You could also set up your own business.
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