Scaffolder
Careers Explorer:
Erect and dismantle temporary metal structures, usually around buildings, which allow other construction trades to carry out their jobs safely.
Overview
A role not for the faint hearted, but an extremely vital one within the construction industry.
As a Scaffolder, you’re the gateway to providing access solutions or structural support which allows other trades to carry out their roles safely whilst working at height.
Scaffolding offers an exciting, physically demanding and financially rewarding career path.
Qualifying as a scaffolder provides opportunities to work in many different sectors across the UK and internationally. You’ll also be working on various styles of building and construction sites.
Top 5 Tasks
- Unloading scaffolding equipment at the site
- Putting up the scaffolding poles (standards) and attaching them to the horizontal tubes (ledgers)
- Fixing the scaffolding to the buildings or structures
- Leading, supervising and taking part in creating different kinds of platforms
- Working at height in all weathers.
Salary
Newly trained scaffolders can earn in the region of £19,000 – £25,000.
Trained with experience scaffolders can earn in the region of £25,000 – £40,000, with those at a more senior level earning up to £50,000.
Self-employed scaffolders set their own pay rates.
Salaries will depend on your location, employer and the amount of overtime worked.
Am I Suited?
- Team player
- Hands-on
- Head for heights
- Physical
- Problem solver
The UK construction industry is the safest in Europe. Everybody has a role to play in taking responsibility for health and safety.
Qualifications
There are no formal requirements to become a trainee Scaffolder but it helps to have around four to five GCSEs, including English and maths at grades 9-4 (A* – C) or equivalent.
Employers such as construction companies and construction agencies are keen to see some onsite experience. If you don’t have any, you could work as a scaffolding labourer to start with. Your employer might then train you as a Scaffolder.
