Fibrous plastering option needs to be delivered at a lower cost and not exceeding £11k

Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST1385
  3. Version: 1.0
  4. Level: 3
  5. Options: Craft solid plasterer, Craft fibrous plasterer
  6. Typical duration to gateway: 18 months
  7. Typical EPA period: 3 months
  8. Maximum funding: £13000
  9. Route: Construction and the built environment
  10. Integration: None
  11. Date updated: 17/07/2024
  12. Approved for delivery: 17 July 2024
  13. Lars code: 766
  14. EQA provider: Ofqual
  15. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:

Contents

Contents

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

To complete work of a complex work to both fibrous and solid plastering which can include such things as arches and decorative work.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the construction sector on a wide range of projects including new build, refurbishment of existing buildings, heritage buildings and external rendering projects. They are also often found in the creative industries producing and installing bespoke mouldings for film sets. Projects vary in size, scale, and duration, ranging from creation of specialist features, restoration of heritage and listed buildings, carrying out small repairs to a wall or ceiling to working on new build housing and large-scale commercial projects. Craft plasterers are masters in their field and when they have gained sufficient onsite experience they often provide technical leadership and supervision of the work to others. Employers and contractors of craft plasterers vary in size from small local family companies to major commercial contractors and some could specialise in one aspect of the occupation in particular. For example, plasterers could specialise in heritage work only working with organisations like National Trust and English Heritage. They become dedicated to the care, repair, conservation and restoration of old houses, churches and historic monuments and use traditional methods and materials such as lime plastering or rendering to restore ornamental plasterwork or plaster finishes to achieve authenticity.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to complete work of a complex work to both fibrous and solid plastering which can include such things as arches and decorative work. Craft plasterers with sufficient experience can plan and organise the work on site, both for themselves and others and also verify the quality of the work done within their team. They are also technical experts in their team, providing direction and advice to others and advise on work approach and problem solving. They are responsible for ensuring the plastering element of the construction programme is delivered to specification, time and in a safe and sustainable manner. Craft plasterers work both indoors and outdoors on construction sites including often working at height.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their immediate team and often the site management team. They also liaise with other construction trades such as site carpenters, dry liners and bricklayers who could work for their own organisation or another contractor. As the technical lead for plastering they are also expected to communicate with other construction professionals for example the site manager and in the case of smaller specialist projects, the client and architect.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring the products or finishes they and their team create are of a high quality and meet standards, specifications and design plans. They are expected to do this with due regard to all safety aspects involved with working on a construction site, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others at all times. With sustainable construction at the forefront of all projects, it is expected they would also give consideration to and advise others on the environment and the sustainability of materials, waste awareness and recycling. Solid plastering involves applying a range of plastering systems on to different background surfaces using traditional and modern materials. Background surfaces can include plain walls, walls with openings and returns, ceilings, partitions, beams and piers that are attached or independent of walls. Solid plastering work includes preparing solid backgrounds by hand and mechanical means and installing sheet materials such as expanded metal lath, rib lath, various types of beads and reinforcements for the application of one, two or three coat plastering or rendering systems. A solid plasterer would mainly be installing products on site. Fibrous plastering involves creating plaster components with either a modern contemporary design or with an ornamental enrichment to a classical design. These components could include in-situ, arches, decorative features, lighting troughs, beam and column casings, ceiling roses, complete ceilings, enriched cornices, panel mouldings and many others. They are produced using plaster that is reinforced with hessian canvas and timber laths (fibrous) or artificial fibres (glass fibre reinforced gypsum). A fibrous plasterer would produce work in a workshop in addition to installing products on site. External rendering involves using manual and mechanical methods to apply render based products to both homes and commercial buildings. It is a popular method for finishing the outside of buildings, that comes with a plethora of finishes, colours, decorative finishes and textures.

Typical job titles include:

External renderer Fibrous plasterer Heritage plasterer Plasterer

End-point assessment summary

ST1385, Craft plasterer level 3

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.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

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:

  • fail
  • pass
  • merit
  • distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.


EPA gateway

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:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods

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.
In the test you can have:

  • scientific calculator
  • pen and paper

The test administrator should provide this equipment in readiness for the test.

The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 70 minutes to complete it.



Practical assessment with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 12 hours. They will ask you at least 3 questions.


Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 9 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

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.Reasonable adjustments

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.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Cambridge Regional College, Barratt Developments PLC, Bordercraft Construction, Bordercraft Group, Carlisle College, City and Guilds, Construction EPA, George Cook, Kilwaughter, Langton, Lyons & Annoot Ltd, Manchester United, McCarthy and Stone, Plasterace, Saint Gobain, West Dale Services, Leeds College of building

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 17/07/2024 Not set

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