Plasterer

Plastering is one of the oldest of the building trades. The walls of the Egyptian tombs constructed 3000 years ago were plastered with a material very similar to that used on the walls of modern buildings.

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Plasterers’ work generally entails protecting, strengthening, covering and decorating brickwork and concrete by plastering the surface. They spread sand-cement plaster on the walls and a sand-cement screed on the concrete sub-floors with a trowel. Walls are finished off until smooth, or may even have a brushed or patterned finish. After levelling the concrete floor with the screed, ceramic tiles or other floor finishes are laid. The wall surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms may then be tiled.

The work includes tasks such as the plastering of concrete ceilings and the cutting and fixing of plasterboard ceilings. Plasterers not only apply but also prepare coatings to walls and other surfaces. Some plasterers also do complex decorative and ornamental work, using mouldings or other design accessories.

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Personal Requirements

• at least 16 years old
• work well with others
• enjoy working with your hands
• work well without supervision
• accurate and neat worker
• manual dexterity and good coordination
• good physical health
• good form perception

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How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

• Grade 9 Certificate
• Grade 10 Certificate or N1 is recommended

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What to Study

There are 3 ways to qualify as a registered artisan:

1. An apprenticeship is a fixed contract between company and apprentice, ranging in duration from between 18 months and 4 years. At the end of the contract, the apprentice writes a trade test leading to professional certification.

2. A learnership is a structured learning programme ranging from about a year to 3 years. A learnership comprises theoretical and practical training. Practical training is conducted on site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets experience whilst training.

3. TVET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (NCV) similar to the new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.

All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a TVET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.

For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest TVET College. TVET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MerSETA or ChietaSETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme

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Employment

• trade, building or general contractors
• government concerns
• businesses that do their own construction and alteration work
• self-employment, with enough experience, can practise trade on a private basis or start own business

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Further Information

Construction Education Training Authority (CetaSETA)
1st Floor, Building No.5
Midrand Business Park
Old Pretoria Road
Midrand, 1685
Tel: (011) 265-5900
www.ceta.org.za

Master Builders South Africa (MBSA)
No. 1 Second Road
Randjespark
Midrand, South Africa 
Tel: (011) 205-9000
www.mbsa.org.za

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Getting Started

• try to obtain part-time or vacation work as a helper to a plasterer
• make an appointment to speak to a plasterer about this type of career
• obtain information on learnership programmes in your area

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