Wood Machinist
What is the work like? As a wood machinist you would cut and prepare timber for builders’ merchants, DIY stores, and the furniture making and construction industries. You would make a range of timber products, such as: floorboards and staircases door and window frames kitchen units and cabinets fencing and pallets. Your work would involve: planning jobs following detailed technical drawings selecting the right type of wood for a particular product working out the amount of timber needed...
Read MoreSteel Fixer
What is the work like? As a steel fixer, you would fit and secure the steel bars and mesh used to make reinforcements for concrete buildings and structures. You would work on various developments including commercial and industrial units, multi-storey housing and civil engineering projects like roadworks, tunnels and bridges. On most jobs, your tasks would include: setting out the work area, following engineering plans using hand and power tools to cut and bend bars or mesh tying rebar...
Read MoreTiler
What is the work like? Tilers cover walls and floors with tiles, on jobs ranging from tiling a kitchen or bathroom to fitting out a shop, hotel or restaurant. Some tilers also carry out specialist work, for instance on swimming pools and mosaic walls found in landscape gardening. As a tiler, your work would typically include: marking out an area to estimate the amount of tiles and adhesive needed (known as setting out) cutting tiles to size and shape with hand-cutters or bench-mounted tools...
Read MoreShopfitter
What is the work like? As a shopfitter, you would make and install the woodwork or metalwork for shops, banks, offices, restaurants and bars. You would build and refurbish shopfronts, doorways and fixtures. On most jobs you would work closely with other tradespeople such as tilers, electricians and plumbers. Your duties could include: marking out and cutting wood, metals, glass and plastics to make units and fittings in a workshop estimating material quantities and costs, and preparing tenders...
Read MoreRoofer
What is the work like? As a roofer, your work could range from re-slating the roof on a house, to restoring the lead sheets on an old building. You would choose a roofing method best suited to the job, for example: slating and tiling – using traditional or synthetic slates, or concrete tiles to cover a sloped roof built-up felt roofing – fitting felt sheets or spreading a waterproof bitumen layer on a flat roof leadwork – covering a roof using lead (or copper) rolls, often seen on churches...
Read MoreKitchen & Bathroom Fitter
What is the work like? Kitchen and bathroom fitters assemble and install kitchens and bathroom suites in homes and businesses. They fit cupboards, worktops, appliances, flooring and fittings when working on kitchen installations. In bathrooms they put in baths, shower units, sinks, toilets and storage cabinets. As a kitchen and bathroom fitter, your day-to-day work would include: measuring out work areas in line with layout and design plans ripping out and disposing of old units and suites...
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