Fibrous Plasterer

Whether you're building or renovating, an important part of your construction team will be the plasterer. Plasterers apply plaster, cement or similar mixtures to the walls of buildings to create smooth or textured finishes. They handle minor jobs, such as sealing a crack in the wall of a building, or major jobs such as plastering all interior or exterior walls of a building.

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Although there are approximately 50% of plasterers that have no post school qualifications 44% have either a Certificate III or Certificate IV. These qualifications give you the advantage when applying for a job.

TAFE SA offer the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation; Certificate I Vocational Education Brick/Block laying/Tiling & Plastering, Certificate I Vocational Education Painting & Decorating and the Certificate IV Building. Still Unsure! Then enrol in a short course also offered through TAFE SA such Plastering. For further information about these and related courses go to the TAFE SA website at http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au.

There are SA Apprenticeships available in this occupation for further information go to the Traineeship & Apprenticeship website at http://www.employment.sa.gov.au or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.

As well as working in the building and construction industry, plasterers also find work with manufacturers of plaster products. Most plasterers are employed on a subcontract basis or are self employed.

The demand for fibrous plasterers depends on activity in the building industry, in particular the housing sector. It is a large occupation with reasonable employment prospects.

Trade qualifications are sought after, but are not essential. Demand is subject to changes in building activity. Qualified tradespeople are less likely to be affected by downturns in demand.

Construction

To be supplied.

Fibrous plasterers make, apply and fix the internal linings of walls and ceilings. Plaster is used to make a sheet or board, which is then applied to the stud frame (hollow wall) of a building. But before this is done, fibrous plasterers measure out the wall or surface to be lined, and install insulation or moisture barriers where needed. The plasterboard is also measured and cut, and then secured to a wall or surface. Any joins are sealed with wet plaster and the surface is smoothed using a wet brush or sandpaper. They also install decorative mouldings or fittings to a building's interior.

Fibrous plasterers are involved in a physically demanding job. They must enjoy practical work and working with their hands. They need to have good hand-eye coordination and are able to work at heights. They also must be able to work neatly and accurately and able to read and interpret plans.

'It's a very old fashioned technique. It may occur in some heritage-listed buildings but generally, modern plastering techniques that are consistent with heritage construction are used,'' says a spokesman. From a plasterer's perspective their day usually starts around 7.30am. The labourers generally start mixing the cement, and the first coat of plaster is applied. Before it's dry, it has to be stripped to create a flat surface. When cement dries, it dries fast, so you've just got to keep going. Then another coat of plaster is applied and that's pretty much the pattern throughout the whole day,' says a self-employed plasterer.

For further information, contact:

Construction Industry Training Board SA
5 Greenhill Rd Wayville SA 5034
Ph: (08) 8172 9506
Fax: (08) 8172 9501
Email: citb@citb.org.au
Internet Address: http://www.citb.org.au

Master Builders Association of South Australia Inc
47 South Tce Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8211 7466
Fax: (08) 8231 5240
Email: buildsa@mbasa.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.mbasa.com.au

The starting salary for plasterers is about $35,000 per year. However, those plasterers who are willing to do any additional work, will find the salary level can go in excess of $50,000. This may also be the case if you start your own business.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au