In Summary
The work of the Plasterer includes the preparation and application of protective covering to interior and exterior building surfaces.
Before applying protective coverings to building surfaces a Plasterer would mark out an area of wall to be covered, mix up their own materials and apply the base coat plaster to the wall area. The surface would be levelled off and then scratched in preparation for the second coat.
The second coat of plaster is applied to the required thickness on the uneven wall. When the two base coats are dry, the Plasterer spreads on and smooths out a final thin coat of plaster to finish the wall. Outside walls are done with the same method but instead of plaster, a sand and cement mix is used.
A Plasterer also can apply decorative marking and finishes to a wall, such as pebble-dash, to achieve a required finish. In addition, a plasterer may be required to lay the finishing surface of cement floors for houses, factories and garages. Plasterers are generally employed in the construction industry or may be self-employed. Fibrous plasterers may work from architects’ designs or copy pieces of plasterwork from artists’ drawings or from photographs to produce ornamental work.
Note: If you suffer from an allergy or skin complaint, the chemicals that you use may affect you.
To view full details of this occupation, view information from our Careers database for the following occupation: Plastering
Entry Requirements
The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
Grade D or "Achieved" in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course,
or
Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.
You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.
Please note: To become an apprentice you may need to pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). For further information, contact your local Education and Training Board.
Note: These are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential:
- Technical Drawing/Graphics
- Construction Studies
- Technology
- Mathematics
Training
Phase 1: With Employer
- Induction Training
- Introduction to Health & Safety
- Introduction to Tools & Equipment
- Introduction to Basic Skills
Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (20 weeks)
Course Content:
- Induction
- Slabbing, Rendering, Floating & Skimming
- External Work
- Slabbing, Skimming, Dry Lining & Floors
Phase 3: With Employer
- Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)
Course Content:
- Expanded Metal
- External Finishes
- Decorative Plasterwork
- Pitched Roofs
Phase 5: With Employer
- Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)
Course Content:
- Metal Systems
- Advanced Mouldwork
- External Finishes
- Wall & Floor Tiling
Phase 7: With Employer
- Work Based Training and Assessments
The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum
of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.
On successful completion of the programme the learner
is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Plastering.
Skills & Qualities
As a Plasterer you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands.
An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.
The Plasterer must have the ability to:
- Plan and organise
- Communicate effectively
- Solve problems
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Show a positive attitude
- Recognise the need for good customer relations
- Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness
Work Activities
Plasterers require many skills including:
- Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
- Knowledge of properties of a range of materials and chemicals
- Working quickly and to a high standard for finishing
- Performing a range of techniques to include decorative and ornamental work
- Interpreting technical drawings and specifications
- Producing decorative panels by molding and casting plaster in workshops
- Planning and organising plastering jobs
Aspects of Work
- Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
- Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
- Seeing a job through from start to finish
- Comply with Health and Safety requirements
- Working with drawings and diagrams or photos/ paintings
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
- Working at heights
- Working indoors and outdoors
- Lifting or carrying heavy items
- Being physically active and on your feet
- Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
- Bending, lifting and stretching
- Passing all your phase exams (theory, practical skills demonstration)
- Earning as you learn
Career Progression
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.
As a plasterer you will have significant opportunity to start your own business.
Opportunities arise from time-to-time for promotion to supervisor level. Many people use an apprenticeship as a first step in proceeding to such occupations as instructors, teachers, training advisors, managers and owners of business.
Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company. By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience. Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age. Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.
Career Progression Useful Links:
Educational Supports:
On completion of an apprenticeship your educational progression options may be offered as full awards on the NFQ levels 7-10 National Framework . You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.
Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.
- Springboard & conversion courses
- Skillnet Sector learning network courses
- Skills to advance Local ETB Board
- Further education training centres Fetchcourses
- Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options
Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:
On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you:
- Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
- Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
- Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
- Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise
Getting an Apprenticeship
In order to secure an apprenticeship, you must first secure a contract with an employer. You must apply directly to an employer rather than the training provider. Once you have found an employer to take you on as an apprentice, your employer must then register you as an apprentice with SOLAS.
- The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
- The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.
Opportunities for this Apprenticeship arise on an ongoing basis throughout the year. In order to secure an apprenticeship contract of employment, you should target companies you would like to do your apprenticeship with by applying directly to them.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.
Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.
The training is provided by the following institutions:
This list is by no means exhaustive and training providers are subject to change, so make sure to check with your local ETB to see if they are running this Apprenticeship programme.
| To check whether courses are running in your area for Apprenticeships, check with your local ETB using this link and select your county. |
Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship
Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.
Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:
Online Jobsites
Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.
Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.
Below are the results for an Apprentice from indeed.ie.
Pay & Fees
As an apprentice, you earn while you learn.
Employment Salary (On-the-job)
The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.
Training Allowance (Off-the-job)
A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid.
The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The weekly gross wage norms for different industries are listed below.
Information on taxation of off-the-job payments can be found here.
Apprentices complete two of their three phases of off-the-job training in a higher education institution. A ‘student contribution’ must be paid for this part of the training.
The amount of the student contribution is a proportion of the annual student contribution paid by students who are attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution.
The student contribution for this apprenticeship is €1,000 for Phase 4 and €1,000 for Phase 6.
