Erecting, altering and dismantling scaffolding, to allow other trades to work safely at height from secure working platforms.
This occupation is found in the Construction and the Built Environment Industry.
Employers range from small, medium businesses to large enterprises. Projects vary in size, scale, and duration, and could include domestic refurbishments, new built housing, large scale industrial, commercial properties and challenging locations, like bridges, powerlines, towers and offshore. Scaffolders work outdoors in changeable weather, indoors or both depending on the project.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide access solutions or structural support which allows other trades to carry out their roles safely whilst working at height.
Scaffolders construct, alter and dismantle scaffolding structures using a variety of scaffolding equipment, tools and methods. They build secure and stable temporary structures where scaffold working platforms can be installed to create a safe working environment for other workers. With sustainable construction at the forefront of all projects, it is expected that scaffolders do so by also giving consideration to the environment and sustainability of materials, waste awareness and recycling.
Scaffolders are working in accordance with customers’ specifications following design drawings, compliance sheets and manufacturers’ specification when installing, altering or dismantling scaffolding structures.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with members of the public, clients, site managers, and other trades such as roofers, slaters & tilers, groundworkers, bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, decorators etc. Scaffolding is a safety critical trade and each individual working in the sector has a responsibility to themselves, their working environment, and others who they may encounter whilst carrying out their role.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, using equipment, materials and tools to erect, adapt and dismantle scaffolding structures according to designs or manufacturers' specification.
Scaffolders are also responsible for ordering materials, tools, and equipment. They work to industry recognised safe systems of work, health safety and environmental guidance and legislation including the HSAWA, Work at Height, COSHH, RIDDOR, PPE regulations and other relevant industry guidance.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the scaffolder, the qualification required is:
CISRS Part 1a, 1b
CISRS Part 2a, 2b, 2c
CISRS Foundation
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. The practical assessment with questions is spilt into two components:
Component one: individual practical assessment with questions.
Component two: group practical assessment with question.
Component two: group practical assessment with question will last 8 hours. Component one: individual practical assessment with questions will last 4 hours.
The independet assessor will ask you at least 3 questions in the individual practical assessment with questions and at least 3 questions in the group practical assessment with questions. .
Interview
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 10 minutes. They will ask you at least 3 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Construction Industry Scaffolder Record Scheme (CISRS) for Scaffolder
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | End-point assessment plan, funding and standard revised. | 29/06/2023 | Not set |
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan revised | 28/10/2022 | 28/06/2023 |
| 1.0 | retired | 08/05/2018 | 27/10/2022 |
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