Entry Requirements
You will need to have 4 GCSEs at grades 3-2 (D-E) including maths and English.
In addition, you will need to have an employer who is able to support you as an apprentice. Your employer must be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Apprentice Standard with their scope of work.
If not already achieved, the apprentice will have to achieve Level 1 English and maths and take the test for level 2 prior to taking their end-point assessment.
What's Involved
Please be aware that this Apprenticeship Standard replaces the Apprenticeship Framework.
Plasterers smooth or create a decorative finish on internal walls and ceilings. They also apply render and finishes to external walls. Most new builds and many renovation projects require a plasterer, to give a room a fresh feel, repair damage or bring a space back to life.
https://www.goconstruct.org/learn-about-construction/find-the-role-for-you/career-explorer/plasterer/
Plastering is a core function within the construction sector, particularly the house building sector and refurbishment sectors.
The broad purpose of this occupation is to apply layers of plaster onto walls, floors and ceilings. Plastering serves a protective function, in that it makes buildings more robust and also an aesthetic function.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with commercial and domestic customers, other trades, architects and site managers. All plasterers can work on their own or as part of a small team. They work on small-scale domestic jobs, large repair and restoration projects and on big commercial developments such as schools or hospitals, therefore coming into contact with a wide range of people.
Whilst some plasterers are directly employed by companies specialising in plastering, there are a lot who are sub contracted by companies to work on new or existing buildings.
Solid plastering involves applying a range of plastering systems on to different background surfaces using traditional and modern materials. Background surfaces include solid plain walls, walls with openings and returns, ceiling joists and partitions and beams and piers that are attached or independent of walls. Solid plastering work includes preparing solid backgrounds by hand and mechanical means and installing sheet materials such as expanded metal lath/rib lath, standard angle beads, skim beads, stop beads, expansion beads and reinforcements for the application of one, two or three coat plastering or rendering systems. As a solid plasterer you would mainly be installing products on site.
A Construction Apprenticeship usually lasts between 2 and 4 years depending on what level of qualification you're studying for. During this time, you will be allocated an Assessor to support and guide you through your training programme.
As an apprentice, you will:
- be in full time employment.
- get hands-on experience to help you develop the skills you need to kick start a successful career.
Throughout your apprenticeship you will get:
- On the job training – this is structured and agreed with your employer to ensure you learn the right skills, this is typically 4 days per week.
- Apprentices need to complete 20% off-the-job training during on-programme and specific rules govern this vital element.
Most apprentices follow a Traditional Apprenticeship route, which combines college attendance with learning on site.
Attend college typically 1 day per week, to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours within plastering including:
Knowledge:
• Health, safety and welfare
• Customer service
• Communication
• Buildings
• Energy efficiency
• Materials
• Preparations before completing plastering work
• Application methods for different types of mortars and finishes,
• Application methods for different types of render systems
Skills
• Materials: Identify and prepare surfaces for plastering
• Safe working practices
• Working environment:
• Fixing and jointing plasterboard
• Plastering
• Moulds
• Rendering
Behaviours
• Positive and mature attitude
• Quality focused
• Effective communication
• Self-motivated Learner
Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Typical completion time is likely to be 36 months.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Health and safety are of paramount importance in the construction industry and we place a great emphasis on this part of your education. If you enrol on, and undertake any course in the construction department you will be required to provide and wear at all times (in the college site area) mandatory PPE as follows:
• Approved protective footwear with ankle support (Rigger type boots are not allowed)
• Approved hi-visibility vest
It is also expected that you will attend college in suitable work wear / clothes; it will be possible to order this directly with suppliers during college enrolment.
Course Assessment Method
On-programme is the learning phase for apprentices to pick up the skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the standard. Apprentices need to complete 20% off-the-job training during the on-programme phase of their apprenticeship which must take place in the apprentice’s contracted hours.
The apprentice must also complete a portfolio of evidence during their on-programme learning.
You will be assessed through a series of:
- Online Multiple choice exams
- Written assessments
- Practical assessments
- Development of a portfolio of work.
Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking the end-point 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, carried out at the end of the apprenticeship, after the apprentice has completed the 36-months 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 made available if reasonable adjustments require this.
2. Skills test – assessed over 2 days by an Independent End-point Assessor (IEPA), this assessment will holistically assess skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired throughout the apprenticeship. Apprentices will be presented with a scenario or task and asked to complete it within the allocated time. Skills and knowledge tested will include:
- interpreting information
- annotation of diagrams
- planning and organising work (including materials and other resources)
- setting out/marking out as appropriate
- tool skills (including hand and powered tools)
- producing work to specification in accordance with building requirements
- working to deadlines
- working safely
3. Oral questioning – assessed by an IEPA following the skills test, to confirm the learners understanding and to obtain further evidence of knowledge. It will extend and amplify the ability demonstrated in the skills test.
What's Next
Once you complete and achieved your level 2 apprenticeship, you can progress onto to higher education at college or university, such as undertaking the level 4 HNC in Building Studies.
If you work as part of a team you could progress into a supervisory role to earn a higher salary. You could also move into a related area such as dry-lining, ceiling fixing or become a partitioning systems operative.
You could specialise to become a construction site engineer or technician, or set up as a self-employed subcontractor.
What if I Need Support
Here at the college we have outstanding support. Our support staff are dedicated to providing you with all the help and guidance you may need throughout your college journey.
You might need help and advice on a wide range of issues such as childcare, counselling and additional learning support. For more information on any aspect of student support contact the Course and Information Team, who will direct your call to the appropriate member of the college support team, call: 01325 503030.
What does it Cost?
This course is fully funded for those aged 16-18, however there may be an employer contribution for those aged 19+. Employers needing further details on costs and available government funding options should contact the Business Development Team on 01325 503210 or email business@darlington.ac.uk.
| Course Information | |
| Qualification Type: | Generic code to identify ILR programme aims |
| Level: | Level 2 |
| Awarding Body: | City & Guilds |
| Academic Year: | 22/23 |
| Start Date: | August 2022 |