You should have gained employment as an apprentice with a construction or building company, with the main focus of your role being on plastering techniques.
You will need a minimum of GCSE grade D/3 or above in English and Maths and you will be required to undertake a basic skills test in literacy and numeracy at the College.
A Pass or above in a Construction-based course - or an equivalent qualification - is desirable, although not always required.
A commitment to your own learning and performance in a working environment is essential.
Please note that the current published content below is subject to change and should only be used for guidance on what may be included in the revised Level 2 apprenticeship.
Knowledge
Health and safety: Health and safety hazards, current regulations and legislation. Codes of practice and safe working practices, including asbestos awareness and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Customer service: The principles of high quality customer service. Establishing the needs of others (colleagues, customers and other stakeholders). Respect the working environment including customers’ properties, impact on other trades and the project.
Communication: Different communication methods. How to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner. How to adapt communication style to different situations. How to interpret and use drawings and specifications.
Buildings: Different eras, types of construction methods, insulation considerations, facilities, fire protection. The importance of thermal/insulation to buildings, damp proofing/tanking, renovation and restoration.
Materials: Types of traditional and modern materials; moving, handling and storage of them; their uses and characteristics, eg types, condition, strength and compatibility. Cost awareness and environmental considerations/waste awareness eg surface water management and recycling. Chemical damp proofing installation, moisture effects and damage.
Considerations before completing plastering work: u-values, insulation, impact, fire proofing around steel work.
Dry lining: materials, methods and finishes.
Materials: Identify and prepare surfaces for plastering. Determine quantities and ratios of materials. Move, handle and store materials.
Safe working: Adhere to relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and apply safe working practices, including when working at heights.
Working environment: Select appropriate tools, equipment, materials and components where necessary. Interpret and use drawings and specifications. Maintain a clean working area.
Fixing and jointing plasterboard: Mechanically install plasterboard to timber and lightweight metal framing. Direct bond plasterboard to masonry. Use hand applied and machine applied tape and jointing systems.
Plastering: Apply solid plastering systems using one and two coat plastering to internal surfaces.
In-situ moulds: Construct running moulds to match existing moulding design, set up running rules and plaster screeds, run in-situ moulding work including coring out using bracketing on solid backgrounds. Assemble benches, run short breaks and form stop ends, make good internal and external mitres and returned ends.
Running moulds: Construct positive or negative running moulds. Set down running rules correctly. Run reverse moulds and prepare for casting. Run panel moulds. Take casts from reverse moulds.
Repairing existing plaster: Renovate and restore internal and external surfaces back to original state.
Install cast mouldings: Install cornice mouldings including forming internal and external mitred angles.
Apprentices will undertake the core learning above and also specialise in one of the particular disciplines listed below:
Plastering: Apply three coat plastering, including heritage lime mortars and finishes, and machine applied plaster; re-instate plastering systems after chemical damp proof injection.
Rendering: Apply traditional, modern and machine applied render systems including colour rendering; run in situ moulding work in sand and cement.
Ancillary works: Fix beads and trims, use additives and form mechanical keys as required, mechanically fix EML, riblath and timber lath.
Reverse moulds: Produce reverse moulds (eg enriched cornices, arches, columns, pilasters, corbels ceiling centre and beam case).
Casting: Cast from reverse moulds in fibrous plaster, GRG and GRC (glass fibre reinforced cement)
Fixing cast mouldings: Install cast mouldings (eg enriched cornice, arches, columns, pilasters, corbels, ceiling centre and beam casing.)
Restoration of existing mouldings: Take squeezes of different types of mouldings using plaster, clay and silicone rubber to reproduce mouldings to match the original; produce and install mouldings for the repair of existing mouldings.
Positive and mature attitude: Conscientious, punctual, enthusiastic, reliable and professional including appearance. Take responsibility for personal judgements and actions. Be aware of the limits of personal competence. Show drive and energy in fulfilling requirements of the role, including deadlines and being proactive not reactive. Show honesty and integrity by developing the trust of customers and colleagues and undertaking responsibilities in an ethical and empathetic manner. Demonstrate awareness of equality and diversity in all aspects of role.
Quality focused: Be reliable, productive, efficient and quality focussed in work and in personal standards to meet current industrial standards. Awareness and consideration of other trades, eg plaster walls in a way that allows for pipes and electrical wiring. Keep work area clean and tidy. Provide protection to adjacent finishes to avoid possible damage. Provide good customer service. Give consideration to the appropriate use of resources and personal actions in regards to environmental, social and economic factors and their impacts.
Effective communication: Oral (including listening), written, body language and presentation. Collaborate with others, eg colleagues, clients, architects, contract managers, other trades, clients, suppliers and the public regardless of differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.
Self-motivated learner: Identify personal development needs and take action to meet those needs. Keep up to date with best practice and new technology. Show initiative to independently complete work and solve problems by seeking out critical information.
If they have not already achieved them, the apprentice will have to attain Level 1 English and Maths and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking their end-point assessment.
The current published content below is subject to change and should only be used for guidance on what may be included in the revised Level 2 apprenticeship.
Summary of Assessment
The End-point Assessment (EPA) will assess how an apprentice can apply skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired in their apprenticeship through the following three assessments. These are carried out at the end of the apprenticeship, after the apprentice has completed the agreed duration of on-programme learning:
The EPA can only be taken after the conditions of the Assessment Gateway have been successfully achieved.
Assessment Gateway:
If they have not already achieved them, the apprentice will have to attain Level 1 English and Maths and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking their end-point assessment.
Your employer should provide you with Personal Protective Equipment.
You can progress to supervisory, management or professional and technical courses and qualifications.
Young plasterer Brad Peters loves his apprenticeship with Horbury Building Systems and is looking forward to getting a trade under his belt. Brad, who is 16 and studying for his level 2 plastering qualification via Derby College, has described both his job and his college course as “brilliant.” Now just over six months into his apprenticeship, he is gaining valuable on the job experience alongside Horbury plasterer Paul Coward on a range of commercial contracts. Brad, who is from South Wingfield, wasn’t sure what to do when he first left school but the idea of learning a trade strongly appealed to him. After hearing about Rotherham-based Horbury through a friend of his sister, he contacted the national construction group directly and grasped the opportunity to train as a plasterer. Under Paul’s expert supervision, Brad is currently working on the plastering elements of a new student accommodation block in Coventry and has previously assisted Paul on commercial contracts in Sheffield, Huddersfield, Rochdale and Hull. Brad’s apprenticeship also marks the beginning of a great relationship between Derby College and Horbury, with the company looking to take on more apprentices via the college over the next 12 months
Like with anything there are some jobs I like more than others. Of course scraping and preparation has to be done first, which no one likes much, but I really enjoy the plastering part. It's quite a skill and involves a lot of attention to detail. I'm also enjoying going to Derby College on day release. The facilities there are great and all the teaching staff are very helpful.