Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

The Work

Scaffolders put up scaffolding or working platforms for construction workers to use when building, maintaining or repairing buildings and structures. Some also build stands for spectators at sports events and concerts.  
 
Scaffolding consists of metal tubes, connections and fixing fittings, and wooden or metal platforms. Horisontal and upright tubes are joined together with fittings to form a framework and positioned on the foundation timbers. The scaffold boards are placed on to the first level of tubing framework. Scaffolders repeat this process, using ladders for access, until they reach the required height. Finally, they remove their own ladders, leaving some in place to provide access to the different levels. They tie the ladders firmly into place. Scaffolders use scaffolding to erect semi permanent or permanent structures for spectator stands or stages.  
 
For interior work scaffolders usually construct a tower scaffold, using pieces that slot into each other. The tower is often placed on wheels and can be moved around. On large projects they also erect scaffolding inside for painting and decorating jobs.  
 
Scaffolders have to follow carefully the requirements of each job. For example, a stronger platform is needed by bricklayers, to support piles of bricks, than by painters and decorators. They also have to stick to strict safety regulations relating to the minimum sise of working platforms and handrails. They also have to fit safety nets and guard rails as they work, for their own safety, and to protect people walking underneath the scaffolding.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
• Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
• Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
• Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
• Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
• Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hasards.
• Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
• Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
• Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners.
• Perform construction laborer duties at green building sites, such as renewable energy plants or wind turbine installations.

Further Information

• Scaffolder - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Scaffolder is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Scaffolding apprenticeship

There are many entry routes into a career in scaffolding & safety are via short courses certifiying skills & safety practice. Some of these courses are delivered privately at cost, or via Education training boards & Solas FET Centres Construction skills certification program. Scaffolding can be for construction, repairs and maintenance, or for entertainment events. 

Key skill certs: 

Valid Solas approved Safepass (valid for 4 years) 

Health & safety authority approved Manual handling (valid for 3 years)  

Scaffolding key certs: 

Scaffolding Level 1 (Basic) Course 7 days / Scaffolding Level 2 (Advanced) Course 1 day/ Mobile Scaffold (Aluminium Scaffolding Towers)/ Scaffolding Inspection Course 1 day 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeships Construction skills & pre-apprenticeship employability courses around Ireland at NFQ level 4-5 search FET centre traineeship

FET Centre PLC Courses: Construction skills & Technology, Sustainable construction NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder 

Scaffolding Apprenticeship Apprenticeship in Scaffolding offered at NFQ level 5 Search apprenticeships  

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ CIF Rates/ Solas/ Payscale/ WRC/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Overall employment levels for this occupation have been relatively stable in recent years; the negative employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation relates to changes that occurred on the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017. Although employment only increased marginally between 2021 and 2022, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a significant issue. Scaffolders appeared in the employment permit data, the Recruitment Agency Survey and in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data.

The number of QQI scaffolding awards (specific purpose) reached 329 in 2022, and except for 2019 (when there were 333 awards), was higher than at any point over the last 10 years. A new two-year apprenticeship for scaffolding was also announced in August 2021 which aims to alleviate any issues for this occupation. It is not possible, however, to determine from the Labour Force Survey or Census data the employment levels for scaffolders and as such it is difficult to determine the extent to which supply from the education/training system is meeting demand.

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Construction Training Centre

  • Mount Lucas, Daingean, Co Offaly R35 XW10
  • 0579362508
  • [email protected]