Working your way up the ladder
Scaffolders put up and take down scaffolding, to allow workers to reach the external higher levels of buildings safely.
There are no set entry requirements, but you’ll need a Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) card.
GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A to C) in English, maths, and design and technology may be helpful.
Experience on a construction site would also be useful.
You could start as a trainee scaffolder or get into this job through an apprenticeship.
You may need a driving licence. You’ll need: • Practical skills • The ability to follow
instructions and plans • Your day-to-day tasks may
include: • Unloading scaffolding from a
lorry • Creating a stable base on the
ground • Putting up scaffolding poles and attaching horizontal tubes to them • Fixing scaffolding to a building • Laying planks across scaffolding for workers to walk on • Fixing guard rails and safety
nets • Taking down scaffolding after a job The starting salary is £14,000 leading to £17,000 and up to £30,000 for more experienced workers.
Your salary will increase with overtime and shift allowances.
You’ll usually work 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
You’ll work outside in all weathers and at height. The work involves climbing and lifting heavy equipment. You’ll wear a safety helmet, protective footwear and a safety harness.
You’ll travel from site to site and may need to stay overnight. With experience, you could become a scaffolding gang supervisor.
You could also become a scaffolding designer or construction manager, or set up your own business.
This line of work is a sector that inlcudes a steel erector who assembles the metal framework of buildings and structures like bridges and tunnels.
This involves guiding steel loads into position, following engineering instructions; making sure steel sections are level; bolting or welding steelwork together; fixing hand rails and other safety features.
You could be working from mobile high access platforms as the structure goes up or dismantling steelwork on demolition jobs.
A steel fixer installs and ties together the steel bars and mesh used to strengthen concrete during construction.
You’ll work on construction projects for offices, factories, high-rise housing, tunnels and bridges.
Another line of work you may consider is being a steeplejack.
Steeplejacks carry out repairs on buildings and structures to make them safe. You’ll work on industrial chimneys, power station cooling towers, church spires, high-rise buildings and bridges.