Course Summary

Entry requirements

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.

Course Content

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.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

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.

Skills

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.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Apprentices will undertake the core learning above and also specialise in one of the particular disciplines listed below:

Solid plastering

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.

Fibrous plastering

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.

BEHAVIOURS

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.

How will I be assessed?

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: 

1. Knowledge test – assessed by an End-point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), this test will consist of multiple-choice questions on a computer-based platform. Provisions can be made for paper-based assessments to be available if reasonable adjustments require this.
2. Skills test – assessed over two days by an Independent End-point Assessor (IEPA), this assessment will holistically assess the skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired throughout the apprenticeship. 
3. Oral questioning – assessed by an IEPA following the skills test, this will confirm the learner's understanding and obtain further evidence of knowledge. It will extend and amplify the ability demonstrated in the skills test.  

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.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

Your employer should provide you with Personal Protective Equipment.

What can I do after this course?

You can progress to supervisory, management or professional and technical courses and qualifications.

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