Scaffolder job description
Scaffolders erect and take down scaffolding to buildings and areas to allow other construction workers to reach the external higher levels of buildings safely.
Average salary per year
£24,000
Average range salary per year
£14,000 - £30,000
1. How to become – cards and qualifications
In order to be a scaffolder you are required to pass the CITB Health and Safety Environment Test and apply for a CSCS Card to work on construction site and you must have a valid CISRS card. For more information on how to apply for a CISRS card visit our CISRS page.
You will need to have a CSCS card to work on a construction site. Please see the below CSCS cards available for scaffolders and links for more information.
| CSCS CARD | NVQ REQUIRED |
| RED CSCS CARD | NVQ TRAINEE |
| GREEN CSCS CARD | NVQ LEVEL 1 |
| BLUE CSCS CARD | NVQ LEVEL 2 |
| GOLD CSCS CARD (SUPERVISORS) | NVQ LEVEL 3 |
| BLACK CSCS CARD (MANAGERS) | NVQ LEVEL 4 |
2. Skills duties
Skills you will need:
- Good maths skills to work out quantities/prices and areas.
- Understand building plans
- Health and safety awareness
Duties:
- Ensuring a stable base on the ground before erecting scaffolding
- Unloading scaffolding equipment from a lorry
- Fixing safety nets and guard rails
- Fixing scaffolding to buildings
- Plank laying across scaffolding and other trade workers to walk on
- Removing scaffolding after a job is finished
3. Career progression
Experienced scaffolders can become gang supervisor, or construction manager.
4. Salaries
Newly trained: £14,000
Experienced: £17,000
Highly Experience: £30,000
Salaries depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do. Self-employed scaffold operatives set their own pay rates.
These figures are a guide and provided by The National Career Service and Go Construct.