Occupation Details

Education
Most occupations in this zone require job specific training (vocational training) related to the occupation (NFQ Levels 5 and 6 or higher), related on-the-job experience, or a relevant professional award.

Related Experience
Previous work-related skills, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, several years of full or part-time employment in the area may suffice.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognised apprenticeship or training program may be associated with these occupations.

Job Zone Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organisational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include restaurant managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, hairdressers, and web developers.

With almost 2,000 job ready job seekers there remains an overhang of supply from the recession for this occupation. However, as apprenticeship registrations in this area remain low, shortages could emerge if an increase in residential activity occurs.

The high employment growth rate should be treated with caution.

National Skills Bulletin 2018

Plasterers mix and apply plaster to inside walls and ceilings. They may also apply cement mixes to floors and outside walls or do decorative work. Plasterers use tools such as trowels, floats and hawks.  
 
 
They also make ornamental plasterwork and decorative panels by moulding and casting plaster in workshops. The finished pieces are then fixed on-site. Fibrous plasterers may work from architects' designs or copy pieces of plasterwork from artists' drawings or from photographs.  
 
They must finish off their work to a high standard and leave it ready for painters and decorators to work on.

The following is a list of the most commonly reported tasks and activities for this occupation

The following is a list of the most commonly reported skills used in this occupation.

You must be physically fit, as the work involves a lot of bending, lifting and stretching.  
 
Plasterers often work at heights using ladders or scaffolding.

The employer pays the apprentice while s/he is being trained on-the-job. A training allowance is paid by the local ETB while the apprentice is attending the off-the-job training, and an Apprentice Rate of pay during the on-the-job phases of their apprenticeship. Generally, the rates of pay are based on a percentage of the fully qualified rate for the occupation:

• 1st Years – 33.3%
• 2nd Years – 50%
• 3rd Years – 75%
• 4th Years – 90%

Training Allowances

A training allowance is paid by the local ETB to apprentices while attending off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid if deemed eligible. The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The amount the apprentice gets will generally be less than that, as it is based on the net take-home pay of the relevant sector. The weekly gross wage norms for different industries can be found here 

Student Contribution

The Annual Student Contribution is charged to students attending Higher Education Institutions including Institutes of Technology (IoT). Apprentices now pay the same contribution as full time students, but their contribution is based on the time they spend in the Institute or College.

The Student Contribution is payable to the IoT /College on the date of registration for the training phase. You should consult the relevant IoT/College for details of payment options.

Note: Apprentices are required to pay an examination fee to the IoT or College for repeat exams. For further information, click here.

Last Updated: November, 2014

A detailed description of this occupation can be found on a number of online databases. Follow the link(s) below to access this information:

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Plasterer - from: N.C.S. [UK]