Plasterers mix and spread plaster onto a surface to create a smooth face ready for decoration. There are two main types of plastering:
- Solid plastering involves applying wet plaster to walls and ceilings to form a flat, smooth surface. A base coat of plaster is applied to the background to provide a flat surface, before a finishing coat is smoothed on with a steel trowel.
- Fibrous plastering is a specialist job that involves making or repairing decorative plaster mouldings, such as cornices, using plaster reinforced with fibre. Plasterers may follow drawings and use moulds or casts.
The usual working week is 39 hours, Monday to Friday. Overtime is often available at the weekends or in the evenings. Solid plasterers mainly work indoors. Conditions on building sites can be cold and draughty. Some of the work takes place in occupied buildings. Fibrous plasterers are usually based in workshops.
Plasterers need:
- to be physically fit and strong
- to be able to work quickly and carefully
- good hand-to-eye co-ordination
- numeracy skills, for measuring and calculating
- artistic ability (for fibrous plastering and other decorative work)
- to work well in a team
- to be polite and courteous when working in people’s homes
- to enjoy working with their hands.
What is the work like?
Plasterers mix and spread plaster onto a surface to create a smooth face ready for decoration. There are two main types of plastering:
- Solid plastering involves applying wet plaster to walls and ceilings to form a flat, smooth surface. The background that requires plastering is usually brick/blockwork or concrete and plasterboard. In some cases there may be existing plaster to remove, either mechanically or by hand. A base coat of plaster is then applied to the background to provide a flat surface, before a finishing coat is smoothed on with a steel trowel as the initial coat starts to set.
- Fibrous plastering is a specialist job that involves making or repairing decorative plaster mouldings, such as cornices or ceiling roses, using plaster reinforced with fibre. Plasterers may follow drawings and use moulds or casts. Much of the work is carried out in workshops before the plaster mouldings are fitted on site.
Plasterers work on new buildings and existing buildings undergoing refurbishment. They may also apply render or render systems to outside walls, either as a finish or before pebbledash or stone cladding is used. Other tasks include laying screed (sand and cement) on floors.
Some plasterers also carry out aspects of dry lining on site, such as fixing plasterboards and metal wall linings to walls. This work is mainly carried out by dry liners, who also erect metal stud partitions and fix plasterboards.
Hours and environment
The usual working week is 39 hours, Monday to Friday. Overtime is often available at the weekends or in the evenings.
Solid plasterers mainly work indoors. Conditions on building sites can be cold and draughty. Some of the work takes place in occupied buildings. Fibrous plasterers are usually based in workshops but may also make site visits.
The work involves a lot of standing, bending and kneeling, as well as climbing of ladders and mobile access towers. Plasterers sometimes need to wear safety helmets and protective clothing.
Plasterers travel from site to site, moving from one project to the next. They may also work away from home for short or long periods of time. A driving licence would be almost essential.
To be considered for an Apprenticeship, individuals ordinarily need at to have completed the Leaving Cert including Maths (with at least a grade O5 (grade C3 pre-2017) in Ordinary Level Maths) and preferably Physics. Applicants also have to pass a colour vision test and a selection test.
Apprentices train on the job, spending time working alongside an experienced plumber. This is combined with off-the-job training, in the form of a day- or block-release course at college. Apprenticeships typically take four years to complete. On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Plastering.
Skills and personal qualities
Plasterers need:
- to be physically fit and strong
- to be able to work quickly and carefully
- good hand-to-eye co-ordination
- numeracy skills, for measuring and calculating
- artistic ability (for fibrous plastering and other decorative work)
- to work well in a team
- to be polite and courteous when working in people’s homes.
Interests
It is important for plasterers to:
- enjoy working with their hands
- take pride in their work.
Getting in
The main employers of plasterers are specialist plastering firms and general building contractors. Other employers include local councils and other public sector organisations. There is also some work in the cultural heritage sector, conserving and restoring historic buildings. Many plasterers are self-employed.
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