Scaffolding Jobs FAQ (1 Viewer)

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Who employs people for scaffolding jobs in the UK?

There are a whole range of private sector companies involved in the construction industry and a good chance that you could end up working for any number of them — either directly or indirectly. Obviously, specialist scaffolding firms and individual building contractors are a large source of employment.

As a construction industry UK subcontractor, you will also find that labour or recruitment agencies can provide you with much scaffolding work. Often, such agencies may act as your direct employer.

What qualifications do you need for scaffolding jobs in the UK?

You do not strictly require any formal qualifications to work as a scaffolder in the UK, however you will find having them advantageous.

The UK has an extensive set of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) which provide the theoretical background to many trades and vocations. In Scotland, these are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). S/NVQs are completed in line with apprenticeships and contain 5 levels:

  • Level 1: equivalent to a site operative or labourer
  • Level 2: craftsperson
  • Level 3: advanced craftsperson
  • Level 4: manager / professional
  • Level 5: senior manager
Being able to prove that you meet a certain level of certification is becoming increasingly important in the UK and is now a prerequisite to working on many construction sites. Also, construction industry occupational, health and safety training is becoming much more common. To this end, a number of certification schemes have been developed to provide all construction site workers with an official photo ID card which provides proof of their level of qualification.

While it is not currently a legal requirement to belong to a certification scheme, it may certainly be seen as advantageous to your employment prospects. There are a number of different certification schemes for different occupations.

Scaffolders can apply to become a member of the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), which is administered by ConstructionSkills.

The CISRS Card is valid for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The cost of the application is £25. As part of the application for this card you will need to have your overseas qualifications verified and you will need to pass a UK Health and Safety assessment (at an additional cost of £17.50).

For more information on having your overseas qualifications recognised, call ConstructionSkills on +44 (0)870 417 8777. The standard method of having certifications verified is through the independent company UK NARIC. The cost of a letter of comparability (online) is £39.95. For more information, UK NARIC may be contacted on (t) +44 (0)871 330 7033, (f) +44 (0)871330 7005, or (e) info@naric.org.uk.

What other experience is advantageous?

Work is available for scaffolders of all experience levels though, essentially, the more experience you have the better. As a general rule, having 2 + years experience should be sufficient.

Having detailed information regarding your previous experience, such as the size and scope of scaffolding projects you have been involved in, will be extremely helpful in helping you find work. You should also ensure that you have an accurate and up to date list of referees.

How much can you expect to earn for a scaffolding job in the UK?

A 16-year-old is paid about £80 a week to start with, while an 18-year-old in his second year can earn around £190 a week. However, once an individual is fully trained, it is not uncommon for scaffolders at the top level to earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. Opportunities for overtime are generally very good.

The amount of money you can earn for scaffolding in the UK varies from job to job and will be effected by a number of factors.

Jobs based in London almost always pay more than those based in other parts of the UK. This is due to the the associated costs of living in London, as well as the fact that many larger (and richer) companies are based in London.

Other factors which will effect your pay packet include:

  • The size of the organisation you work for.
  • The amount of responsibility you have in your role.
  • The amount of previous experience you possess.
UK experience will increase your ability to earn premium rates.

(Source: Work Gateways)
 
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Quote - "What is the outlook for scaffolders in the UK?

The UK's construction industry is in a very healthy state and the outlook for anyone wanting to find a scaffolding job is very good.

Fuelled by a strong economy and the demands of an expanding population, there is a constant need to maintain old and develop new infrastructure within the UK. And, of course, there is also the incredibly large task of preparing for the 2012 Olympic games in London.

This means that there are a great variety of construction projects being undertaken across the UK and there is a strong demand for experienced workers to help with their completion." - end quote

I'm not sure how this paragraph got published, as it is obviously not true. Probably copied from a different document elsewhere and definitely from a different era !
 
You could well be right on that.
Trouble is, others from outside the UK will read this and continue to flood our market with mostly poor quality manpower. I suggest to the people controlling this website, that they remove the post, or at least qualify it with the correct, current situation here.
Over to you guys............
 
You could well be right on that.
Trouble is, others from outside the UK will read this and continue to flood our market with mostly poor quality manpower. I suggest to the people controlling this website, that they remove the post, or at least qualify it with the correct, current situation here.
Over to you guys............

Problem Solved!
 
so what does £25,000 a year. equal to in us dollars, i'm guessing about 40k also do many americans work scaffold in the U K?
Is there any union scaffold work there? I've had my scaffold builders card for about 10 years now, mostly worked in nuclear plants, a new gas fired peaker, some other industrial plants.
 
Conversion results
25,000.00 British pounds sterling = 39,105.00 US dollars
Exchange rate: 1.564200
Rate valid as of: 23/2/2010

no union work like you have in us, i have been scaffolding over 20 years & have never met an american scaffolder, are there any opportunities for uk scaffolders to work in us?
 
There is scaffold work here in the U.S. at The Nuclear plants, oil refineries, fossil fuel plants, etc. Some union some not union. Chicago has very little work, the scale here is $40.77 an hour plus benefits union. I am going to work in Texas starting march 7th at a nuclear plant for about 6 weeks. Thats a non union job and the pay scale is only $24.75 an hour but they are paying $85.00 a day for lodging. I found this job thru the internet and sent a resume, 1st time getting hired that way. I also have a job offer for a nuke in Virginia, i got that job the same way. Problem here is that there are too many tradesmen out of work trying to get the same jobs, its worse trying to get union work at the higher pay scale, thats why I am on a list to go to work up in Alberta Canada at the oilsands projects, Fort MacMurray. They supposedly have plenty of work for the next 10 years. they are working 7 days a week up there, its union and they are paying like $40.00 an hour i hear. They also pay for your lodging and meals. So at the moment i would suggest you try to get hired on up there. Carpenters local 1325 is running that project, try calling them and see what they suggest.

Special Dispensation by the Carpenters General Office allows the Regional Council's four unions Local 1325, Local 2103, Local 2010 and Local 1460 to accept new members through the Organizing Department for only a $2 initiation fee.

All union dues are tax deductible.

Local 1325 UBC

15210 123 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5V 0A3

Phone: 780.471.3200
Toll Free: 1.800.272.7905
Fax: 780.477.7143

Ft. McMurray suboffice:
Bay 6, 266 MacKay Cres.
Ft. McMurray, AB T9H 5C6

Phone: 780.743.1442
Toll Free: 1.866.739.7017
Fax: 780.790.2727
 
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