Applies decorative and protective coverings of plaster, cement and similar materials to the interiors and exteriors of structures.

Fixes pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings; covers joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothes them using wet brushes and sand paper; mixes and applies coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levels and smoothes coats to uniform thickness; plumbs and straightens corners, angles and wall and ceiling surfaces; creates decorative textures in finishing coats.

• Works indoors and outdoors.
• Outdoor work is normally restricted to fine weather conditions.
• Employees work in dirty and dusty situations, as well as with wet cement, stopping, sand and water.
• Staff frequently work at heights, often on scaffold, ladders or other work platforms.

• The physical demand is medium to heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, and walking is frequently required. Sitting is unlikely to be required.
• Stretching and reaching across is constantly required.
• Squatting, crouching and/or kneeling are frequently required especially if working on horizontal surfaces or low level vertical walls.
• Twisting of the body or neck and bending are frequently required.
• Climbing ladders and work on scaffold is occasionally to constantly required for working at heights.
• Contact with water, cement, sand and abrasive hard materials is frequently required.
• Lifting and carrying supplies of plaster and equipment is frequent.
• Repetitive tasks are frequently to constantly required especially in the use of hands and arms.
• Driving to worksites is required.
• Employees frequently use a range of hand and machine tools including trowels, shovels, spreaders, sanding machines and shovels/concrete mixers.
• Mental skills necessary include plastering, practical, organisational and problem-solving.

• There are no specific requirements to become a plasterer. However, applicants usually need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a National Certificate.
• To become a qualified exterior plasterer applicants need to obtain one of the following qualifications: National Certificate in Solid Plastering (Level 4); or a National Certificate in Proprietary Plaster Cladding Systems (Level 4). To carry out certain exterior plastering work plasterers need to be a licensed plasterer as part of the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme.
• To become a qualified interior plasterer applicants need to obtain a National Certificate in interior systems (interior plastering) (Level 3 or 4). The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) oversees plasterer apprenticeships.
• For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.