Plasterer qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 02 Apr 2024

Product code 9086

On Programme Live
Registrations - Open.
EPA bookings and first assessments – Available
We are now approved as an EPAO for the main trade standards in Construction including Carpentry and Joinery (and Advanced), Bricklayer, Plasterer, Painter & Decorator.

This apprenticeship is designed by key employers in the Construction industry and is one of the 'trailblazer apprenticeships'. It provides the skills and underpinning knowledge for Plasterers and includes an end-test at the end of the apprenticeship which includes both a knowledge and practical skills test.

The occupation covered by this apprenticeship standard is for a Plasterer that will specialise in either Solid or Fibrous plaster work after undertaking the core learning. All plasterers can work on their own or as part of a small team. They work on small-scale domestic jobs, repairs and restoration and on big commercial developments such as schools or hospitals.

Plasterers will often complete dry lining projects during their career. Although a person may specialise solely in dry lining, a plasterer must have the knowledge of dry lining in addition to their knowledge and skills to plaster. Whilst some plasterers are directly employed by companies specialising in plastering, there are a lot who are self-employed and are sub contracted by companies to work on new or existing buildings.

Solid plastering

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, 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 systems. As a solid plasterer you would mainly be installing products on site.

Fibrous plastering

Fibrous plastering involves creating plaster components with either a modern contemporary design or with an ornamental to a classical design. These components could include lighting troughs, beam and column casings, ceiling roses, complete ceilings, cornices, panel mouldings and many others. They are produced using plaster that is reinforced with hessian canvas and timber laths (fibrous) or artificial fibres (GRG). As a fibrous plasterer you would produce work in a workshop in addition to installing products on site. You will find fibrous work in traditional and modern buildings and sometimes in the film industry.

On-programme

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. The portfolio is not graded but will form the basis for the questioning during the professional discussion. The apprentice must collect supporting evidence throughout their final year to build up their portfolio. It is recommended that employers and training providers work closely to support the apprentice to gather evidence to include within their portfolio, such as a journal recording their experiences, formative written and practical tests, as well as employer appraisals.

End-point assessment

The end-point assessment will demonstrate that the apprentice can perform in a fully competent and productive way. The end-point assessment will contain three components – all components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprenticeship standard. The three components consist of:

Knowledge test – The knowledge test will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. 10 questions will be scenario-based and will assess knowledge synoptically through scenarios that resemble real life situations apprentices could encounter in their role. 30 questions will be knowledge-based and will assess an apprentice's knowledge and skills from across the standard.
Skills test – The skills test will be tailored to the pathway the apprentice has chosen to study. It will consist of practical tasks that will holistically assess the skills, knowledge and behaviours.
Oral questioning – The oral questioning will be approximately 15 questions and will ask questions around the apprentices’ portfolio of evidence and assess other areas of the standard not assessed in the Knowledge test or Skills test. The oral questioning will take between 45-60 minutes.

How to register

How to register
Interested in using our end-point assessment service and associated end-point assessment preparation materials? There are three ways to either find out more or to order what you need:
1. If you’re an existing City & Guilds customer, go to Walled Garden and select the materials you need or register your apprentice for end-point assessment. (You may need to submit a request to deliver if you don’t yet have approval for that standard.)
2. Get in touch with directsales@cityandguilds.com. Our Direct Sales Team can explain our different products and services and start getting you set up as a customer or give existing customers support on the new apprenticeship arrangements.
3. Speak to your City & Guilds Business Manager about how to access our products or how to register your apprentices with us.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of apprenticeship.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to WalledGarden.com and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.