Fence installer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a fence installer, your tasks would typically include:

• removing old fencing if necessary
• levelling the ground
• using hand tools or mechanical diggers to dig foundations for fence posts
• positioning wooden, concrete or metal posts, often fixing them to a concrete base
• cutting panels to size and fixing them to posts
• painting and weatherproofing the finished fence.

You would need to make sure that you follow health and safety regulations in all parts of your work.

Hours

You would usually work around 40 hours a week, with overtime and weekend work as required.

Contracts often have tight time schedules and can be spread across different locations.

You would need to be prepared to work outside in all weathers, and be able to do heavy work such as lifting and digging.

Income

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and where people live:

Starting salaries for fence installers are around £15,000 a year. Fence installers with some experience may earn between £20,000 and £30,000. A highly experienced fence installer leading a team could earn up to £40,000 or more

Self-employed fence installers negotiate their own rates.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements but it is useful to have GCSEs grades (A*-E), in maths, technology and English, or equivalent qualifications. New entrants need to undertake health and safety training, pass a health and safety test and hold a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card before working on construction sites.

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

For work on all construction sites and Highways Agency contracts fencers require a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme / Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card. The FISS is run by Lantra Awards in partnership with the Constructions Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

The FISS/CSCS card is the hallmark of quality for fencing operatives and is essential for fence installers working for major contractors and national highways construction projects.

All installers and operatives must hold a FISS CSCS card stating their registered category.

For information on the FISS CSCS scheme please refer to the frequently asked questions document on the Lantra Awards website.

• Lantra

Training and development

When you start work as a fence installer, you will usually receive on-the-job training.

For fence installers who wish to develop their career, there may be opportunities for promotion. They could move into supervisory roles, contract management, quantity surveying or health and safety management.

It is possible for experienced fence installers to set up their own business.

Fence installers can also work for large international construction groups, building roads or airports. These companies may offer the possibility of overseas employment.

For further information about the FISS CSCS card scheme and development scheme please refer to the frequently asked questions document on the Lantra Awards website.

• Lantra

Skills and knowledge

To be a fence installer you should have:

• practical skills for using hand and power tools
• the ability to use mechanical equipment such as mini-excavators and drills
• the ability to understand and work to plans
• practical ability in wood and metalwork
• basic maths skills for working out the amount of materials needed
• the ability to work as part of a team
• the ability to communicate information to customers
• an awareness of health and safety issues.

More information

Lantra Awards
www.lantra-awards.co.uk

Lantra
Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
www.lantra.co.uk

Opportunities

There are around 3,200 fencing businesses throughout the UK. Jobs are available in areas such as landscaping, construction, local government, airfields and prisons, the voluntary sector, forestry and agriculture.

Fence installers can work for large or small companies, or be self-employed. With the growth in road networks, prison building and the increasing importance of environmental conservation, fencing opportunities are likely to increase.

Look out for vacancies advertised in local newspapers and at Jobcentre Plus offices.

If you work for a large organisation, you may be able to progress to supervisor or estimator. You could also move into sales with a fencing supplier or building merchant.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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