Plastering courses: Professional careers in the construction business!

Plasterers work with plaster to cover internal and external surfaces of constructions. But before you can be considered a professional plasterer you have to finish plastering courses where you learn the tricks of the trade. It takes several years to become a trained professional. If you are one of those professionals who already have several years of experience in the plastering trade, then you can try an alternate profession of teaching plastering courses. Teaching plastering courses is a niche profession which you can take up full time or part time. But the job pays well and has definite timings.

Taking up teaching in professional plastering courses- In order to be a professional lecturer in plastering courses, you will require several basic qualifications like

1. Atleast four years of experience in the industry after finishing plastering courses- The reasoning for this is that practical experience is very essential to any type of teaching. Industry experience teaches an individual several tricks of the trade which book learning cannot impart. The latest advances in techniques are used in industry before they become available in books for learning. Professionals who have worked in niche fields like Molding Design, Heritage Restorations, Mold Making etc are very familiar with the industry norms of working and they can impart this valuable education to students through professional plastering courses.
2. Teaching experience- Most construction companies take on apprentices who learn under veterans of the plastering trade. As a result most professionals who have been in the industry are already accustomed to teaching novices the trade. Teaching experience comes naturally to them and teaching plastering courses is relatively easier for them to manage. Practical classes are also an integral part of all plastering courses. With industry experience you can teach all novices how to manipulate the material and calculate water measurements for the mix of water and plaster.
3. Industry related degree- If you have completed professional plastering courses yourself before starting work with a construction company; then you are more likely to be picked up for a teaching position. If you do not have a degree or diplomas then do take a part-time course which will make you eligible for teaching posts along with your industry experience. For teaching you should have NVQ 1, 2 and 3 grades certification along with a Site safety card.

Advantages of being a lecturer in plastering courses-
1. Job security- Plastering courses offer job security for lecturers along with medical insurance. This works out great in the long run as you get a permanent job with chances of monthly salary along with benefits.
2. Set times- Plastering courses offer a set time for everyone to work. Most colleges follow a part time arrangement with the rest of the day being free for you to do what you want. You can choose the time you want to teach and that works out great. Most batches have ten to twelve 15-16 year old students. The students will learn theoretical and practical handling of the material along with any other knowledge you can impart.
3. College atmosphere- Working as a plasterer is a physical profession and you have to be reasonably fit for it. If for some medical reason you cannot continue with the physical nature of a plasterer, then teaching plastering courses keeps you in touch with your chosen career while still getting you much needed rest.

Learning about plastering through plastering courses!

Plastering courses are a dime a dozen on the internet. But how do you choose the perfect course for your needs? Are there any specific criteria the employers look for while going through resumes for plasterers? Let find out!

Plasterers are an integral part of the construction industry. They are responsible for covering external and internal constructions surfaces with a thick and water resistant coat of plaster. But the main problem with plaster is that it sets very fast. Plasterers have to learn to judge accurately exactly how to mix the material and how. The material once mixed has to be applied surfaces in a limited period of time or it simple sets like marble. As you must have realized by now, plasterers require a whole lot of technical experience along with pure skill. And that’s what plastering courses can teach you.

Requirements-
 When you are working with a wet and plastic material like plaster, speed and accuracy becomes essential. You will have to have basic skills in wet working and how to use tools like the trowel and the hawk. The process looks easy but it’s not as easy as it seems. Most professional plastering courses have practical sessions where you learn how to mix and use the material and apply it with the necessary equipment.
 There are special techniques like beading, plastering etc which are explained in theoretical classes and then demonstrated in practical sessions. You may need to get additional hands on experience which will be judged by assessors. Short plastering courses of only one to six weeks are not enough to get the experience required in handling the material.
 Choose plastering courses which are atleast six to seven weeks long as that’s the only way you get the best out of it. At the end of the course you should be getting National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and or the Intermediate Construction Award (ICA) for having finished the course. The NVQ is however not really assessed till you enter your workplace so you get trained in the course and learn the basics. The ICA is really great if you get it and is a tremendous plus point in your resume.
 Your chosen plastering courses should teach you the basics in health and safety at the workplace as this contributes to a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Every employer requires that you be aware of workplace safety and if you have the card ready then it instantly readies you for a job at a construction site.
 Additional skills in decorating and plastering become very necessary, as you get skilled in your job. Plastering courses which teach additional tweaks like plasterwork decorating are great and you should try them out.
 After you have sufficient experience, you have to register with the Construction Skills Register (CSR) where you are kept on the books for future jobs. As you progress with your skills then you also simultaneously progress through the accreditation levels of NVQ level 2 and 3. Eventually you are assigned a Skills Card and then a Craft Card

Make sure you check for all these requirements before you choose any of the plastering courses which are there on the internet or in your locality and you should do fine.