Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

The Work

Cavity wall insulators inject insulation materials between the walls of houses or other buildings to retain heat. They drill holes into the outside walls of a building and use a pump or a vacuum to suck insulation material from bags. This is injected into the walls of the building. Insulators may also be required to complete more traditional insulating work using materials such as kingspan etc. They need also to keep up to date with new advances in insulation.  
 
Insulation materials include mineral fibre, expanded polystyrene beads, granules or foam. A cavity wall insulator needs to have a basic knowledge of buildings and how they are made so they can use the most suitable insulation material.  
 
Most insulators work in pairs so that one can drill holes while the other fills the cavities. When the job is done, the cavity wall insulator cleans up the area and fills the holes in the brick with a matching mortar. They may be required to insulate existing structures or new buildings.  
 
Cavity wall insulators wear protective clothing such as overalls, a face mask, goggles and ear defenders.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
• Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
• Cover and line structures with blown or rolled forms of materials to insulate against cold, heat, or moisture, using saws, knives, rasps, trowels, blowers, or other tools and implements.
• Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
• Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nossles.
• Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
• Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
• Read blueprints, and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
• Remove old insulation, such as asbestos, following safety procedures.
• Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.

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.

There are many pathways into a career in support of or a lead insulation worker. 

Key Skill certs: Manual handling, Safepass, B/C drivers license. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Construction skills, sustainable construction, engineering operations & technology in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Consruction studies, Sustainable Energy and Construction Technology, Sustainable Interior Design, Building Construction, Sustainable Construction Technology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship:Industrial Insulator & allied construction trades Apprenticeship NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Construction, Applied Construction Technology, Construction (Facilities and Building Services Management),  NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €50k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed / Payscale/ Solas/ Excel/ Talent

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

Employment growth was below average for this occupation with little growth in recent years and a decline in levels between 2021 and 2022. Census 2022 data shows that employment was relatively evenly split between bricklayers/masons and plasterers. There were almost 200 employment permits issued in 2022 for bricklayers, stonemasons, and plasterers (including specialist clay plasterers).

There was also a relatively high volume of vacancies notified through the DSP across similar roles to that of the employment permits (there may be some overlap as a labour market test is required for employment permit applications for these roles which includes advertising the positions on DSP Jobs Ireland). The 2022 DFHERIS report suggests that demand for plasterers will be strong in the short-term when retrofitting activity increases. However, the report also indicates that demand for both bricklayers and plasterers for housing will decline in the coming years; apartments account for an increasing share of housing stock and have fewer requirements for bricklayers due to the use of pre-cast concrete. and modern methods of construction where much of this work is carried out off-site. Although demand is evident at present, the data does not point to shortages.

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