Scaffolding can be a very interesting and rewarding career for people who have the right frame of mind. Those who enjoy manual labour and enjoy working outdoors as part of a team may find that the scaffolding industry is the perfect place for them to display and develop their practical talents. Here is some more information about what you might need to do if you want to become a scaffolder.

Entry Requirements

Some employers do look for qualifications in their workers. The most common entry requirements from employers are good GCSEs in Maths, English and Design Technology. Some employers believe that these GCSEs give people a good background on which to develop the skills that they need to be successful in the industry.

However, there is no real need to worry if you do not have GCSEs in these subjects, because many other employers are perfectly happy to help new workers to learn on the job without them. They will be happy to employ you as long as you’re able show willing to learn and to work hard.

Apprenticeships

One of the routes that you can qualify to become a scaffolder is to complete an apprenticeship as part of the national apprenticeship scheme. You can search online for apprenticeships in your area using the government’s apprenticeship portal. Apprenticeships offer low pay, but they do offer students the chance to earn an NVQ level 2 award, which may increase your earning power in the future.

In some apprenticeships, students may spend part of their time on site learning practical skills and part of their time doing classroom based training.

COTS

All new candidates to labourer work or trainee scaffolding work are required to complete a basic training course, known at the New Entrant Trainee and Scaffolding Labourer course. It is alternatively called COTS. This course teaches new starters about the basics of work site safety. It is essential that new starters complete this qualification, because the knowledge that they gain from it will help to protect both them and their co-workers whilst they are out on the site.

In addition to this course, new entrants must pass the CITB health, safety and environment test.

Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)

Once scaffolders have completed the new entrant components, they may apply for a CISRS card. This card shows employers that the employee is able to complete certain scaffold tasks which meet their skills level. Scaffolders cannot work in the United Kingdom without this card. This card can only be applied for if the COTS and CITB components have been completed in the last two years.

During your training phase, you will gain on-site experience whilst working under close supervision. You will also spend time off-site with a CISRS training provider who will teach you the theory that you require to be able to erect scaffold successfully and safely.

Things that you will learn as part of your CISRS training include: Accident Prevention and Reporting, Basic Scaffold Terminology, Boards and Stock – Quality Control, Electrical Safety, Equipment and Tools, Fire Prevention and Control, General Responsibility, Health, Welfare, Hygiene and Housekeeping, Manual Handling (may involve a practical aspect of testing), Lifting Equipment Using a Rope and Wheel, Personal Protective Equipment, Relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice, Servicing of Equipment, Tube, Fittings etc; and Site Transport Safety (including loading and unloading).

Trainees will be tested on these things, to make sure that they have an adequate understanding of what they need to know. This training is carried out in two parts. Part one will allow you to carry the Trainee Scaffolder (Red) Card. Once you have held the Red card for 6 months and completed the part two of this programme you will be ready to apply for your Basic Scaffolder (Blue) card. To receive your Blue card you also need to complete a site diary and an NVQ assessment. Lastly you have to do a CISRS Practical Skills Match course.

Advanced Scaffolder (Gold) Card

The last standard qualification that most scaffolders strive for is the Advanced Scaffolder (Gold) card. To qualify for this card you must have held your Blue card for at least 12 months prior to the application. You must attend and pass a ten day Advanced Scaffolder course with an authorised training provider. After this you must complete a site diary and an NVQ level 3 assessment process, which is normally completed over another 6 month’s worth of site experience.

Finally, you need to complete a 2 day Advanced Level Practical Skills Assessment/Match from a CISRS provider. This card will allow you to work on the erection and dismantling of more complex scaffolding structures. People who have this card are also able to work on other administrative aspects of the construction process. This card can increase your earning potential as a scaffolder and is seen as a sound investment by many.