The role of a ceiling fixer usually involves fitting suspended ceilings, often in big modern buildings like shops, offices and hospitals. These ceilings often hide air-conditioning and other unsightly features.
All the work undertaken will be indoors but you could be working high up, so a head for heights is important. You'll also need a good technical brain as you'll be reading plans and drawings, and you should also be good at managing your time efficiently.
There are no set entry requirements to train as a ceiling fixer, although GCSEs/Standard Grades in Maths, English and Technology may be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory.
Apprenticeships are the usual route in and enable you to earn while you learn. Entry to an apprenticeship scheme will usually involve a selection test.
There is an NVQ/SVQ available in Interior Systems, which you may take. This includes setting out and interpreting projects and plans and learning the tools of the trade. You will also have health and safety training.
The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually. Pay rates for apprentices in Scotland are set by SBATC. A good basic wage is available and can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer. Payments to sub-contractors tend to be on an agreed price per square metre of ceiling installed.
Ceiling fixing provides a great deal of job satisfaction, and workers can progress on to supervisory and managerial roles, or even to setting up their own business.
