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Glazier
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£13,000 + per year
Glaziers work on clients' premises installing glass into supporting frames and units. As a glazier you could fit double glazing at a house, install windows at a new office development or carry out glass repairs. If you like practical tasks and enjoy doing things carefully and precisely, this could be the job for you.
To be a glazier, you should be able to follow drawings and plans. You should have good practical skills. You should also be able to take accurate measurements for glass cutting.
You do not always need qualifications, but employers usually want people with some on-site experience.
WorkDesc
The work
On a glass replacement project, you would:
- select the correct glass for the job, for example safety glass to go in a shop front or security glass for a bank
- remove the old or broken panes, using tools like suction pads (for larger pieces), chisels and pliers
- remove the beading or putty from frames
- fit the new glass
- make the fitting watertight using sealants, rubber strips, or lead and aluminium flashing (material for preventing water entry).
You would normally use made-to-measure glass panes that have been cut to size in a workshop beforehand. You may need to make some small adjustments and shape pieces on site using diamond or wheel-cutting tools.
As well as fitting glass, you could be involved in the manufacture of glazed units, such as timber or UPVC-framed windows and doors. With experience, you may be able to use your skills on specialist projects, for example on churches or restoring listed buildings.
Some jobs would involve working at heights from ladders, scaffolding or suspended cradles.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would work 37 to 40 hours a week, which could include out-of-hours duties for emergency replacement of broken glass.
You would travel from job to job, and some contracts may involve working away from home for periods of time.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries can be between £13,000 and £16,500 a year.
With qualifications, glaziers can expect to earn up to £20,000 a year. Experienced glaziers with additional responsibilities may earn over £23,000 a year.
Overtime and shift allowances may increase income.
Self-employed glaziers set their own rates.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You do not always need qualifications, but employers usually want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, you could look for a job as a glazier's assistant (mate) or labourer to get this experience. Once you are working, your employer may be willing to offer you glazing installation training.
You may be able to start in this career through a construction Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. To find out more, see the Apprenticeships website.
For more information about construction careers, training and qualifications, see the ConstructionSkills website.
The Know Your Place campaign promotes the construction trades as a career choice for women. See the Know Your Place website for details.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are working, you could take qualifications like the NVQ in Glazing at levels 2 and 3. This normally includes shaping and cutting glass, installation, and health and safety, plus optional units such as:
- fitting glass stairs and floors
- security glazing
- shop fronts
- overhead installations, for example glass roofing.
If your job involves assembling pre-fabricated glazed units, you could take the NVQ in Fenestration Installation and Surveying at level 3, or Production of Glass Supporting Fabrications at levels 2 and 3.
Please see the window fitter job profile for more information.
For more information about qualifications and training centres offering assessment for glazing and installation NVQs, see Glass Training Ltd (the National Training Body for the Glass and Fenestration Industry) and the Glass Qualifications Authority websites.
There are also Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) linked to glass occupations. See the Apprenticeships website for details.
Another option is to take the Foundation Degree in Management and Glass Technology. This is offered by Wakefield College in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University. The qualification would help you to move into supervisory or management positions in the industry. See Wakefield College website for more information.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
Many building contractors will now insist that you have a CSCS card to work on their sites. The card is proof of your skills and competence. To get your card you must:
- pass a health and safety assessment
- have an NVQ or equivalent qualification
If you are working without qualifications, you may be able to use On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) to get your NVQ and card. See the CSCS and ConstructionSkills websites for more information.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a glazier, you should have:
- the ability to follow drawings and plans
- good practical skills
- a careful and methodical approach to your work
- the ability to take accurate measurements for glass cutting
- good maths skills for making calculations
- an awareness of safety issues, particularly when working at heights
- a reasonable level of fitness
- the ability to work as part of a team as well as alone
- good customer service skills
- a creative approach to colour and shape for some specialist jobs.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Glass Training Limited 
Suite 28
The Quadrant
99 Parkway Avenue
Parkway Business Park
Sheffield
S9 4WG
Tel: 0114 227 0070
www.glass-training.co.uk
Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA)
Kingsley House
Ganders Business Park
Kingsley
Bordon
Hampshire
GU35 9LU
Tel: 01420 471619
www.irata.org
Glass Qualifications Authority
Provincial House
Solly Street
Sheffield
S1 4BA
Tel: 0114 272 0033
www.glassqualificationsauthority.com
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
Tel: 0844 576 8777
www.cscs.uk.com
ConstructionSkills
Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 0344 994 4400
www.cskills.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You may find opportunities with businesses that sell, cut and install glass for construction companies, or with local authorities, public organisations and shopfitting companies. You could also work for glazing companies that specialise in conservatory construction, glass roofing or emergency repairs for shops and offices.
With experience, you could progress to technician or supervisor level, overseeing a team of glaziers, or move into specialist work. You could also become self-employed and work on a sub-contract basis.
Another option is to work in the automotive industry, repairing and replacing windscreens on vehicles.
Please see the motor vehicle body repairer job profile for more information.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
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.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The construction sector is represented by ConstructionSkills Sector Skills Council. Construction is the creation of the built environment covering all stages of the construction process, from creating the initial ideas and designs to actually building the structure and ensuring that everything continues to work after it is completed. The sector covers the following areas: building infrastructure (such as roads and rail); the building of public and private housing; the construction of public non‐housing (such as schools); industrial building; the construction of commercial premises (such as offices and retail units); together with the repair and maintenance of these constructions.
ConstructionSkills represents every part of the UK construction industry, from architects to bricklayers. The sector employs 2.35 million people, representing over 8% of the UK workforce.
The craft industry covers a whole range of different trades including:
- Wood occupations – Site Joiner, Shop fitter, Wood Machinist
- Exterior occupations – Bricklayer, General Construction Operative
- Interior occupations – Painter and Decorator, Ceiling Fixer
- Specialist occupations – Thatcher, Roofer, Scaffolder
- Plant occupations – Plant Mechanic, Plant Operator
Careers in construction craft roles suit people who are practical and are willing to work in a team. Craftspeople can also move into professional and technician roles.
Key facts for the construction sector as a whole:
- 92% of organisations in the construction sector employ less than 10 people.
- 55% of the workforce is employed in manual occupations.
- 37% of the workforce is self‐employed.
- Much of the workforce is mobile.
- More than 35% of people in the sector are their own boss running their own companies.
Jobs in the industry range from: bench joiner, wood machinist, built up felt roofer, mastic asphalter, bricklayer, stonemason, dry liner, glazier, renderer, plant operator, demolition
National and regional data
Fewer employers in the East Midlands and West Midlands who had tried to recruit skilled staff had encountered difficulties (9% and 16% respectively); compared with London and Scotland, where two in five employers had experienced recruitment difficulties (40% and 39% respectively).
East Midlands – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,210) and wood trade and interior fit out (800). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; roofers; plant mechanics/fitters; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.
East of England – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (1,000) and plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades (870). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; plant mechanics/fitters; plus electrical trades and installation.
London – The highest requirements are for labourers (640) and plant operatives (510). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; bricklayers; painters and decorators; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
North East – The highest requirements are for labourers (550) and bricklayers (510). There are little or no requirements for: roofers; steel erectors/structural; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
North West – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (620) and floorers (410). There are little or no requirements for: scaffolders; and steel erectors/structural.
South East – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (340), labourers (290) and civil engineering operatives (290). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; electrical trades and installation; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
South West – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,260) and wood trade and interior fit out (350). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
West Midlands – The highest requirements are for labourers (710) and wood trade and interior fit out (640). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; scaffolders; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The highest requirements are for labourers (540) and floorers (340). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; glaziers; specialist building operatives; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades; plus civil engineering operatives.
Northern Ireland – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (200) and labourers (180). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; steel erectors/structural; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Scotland – The highest requirements are for plant operatives (1,030) and wood trade and interior fit out (760). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; roofers; floorers; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Wales – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (1,170) and labourers (730). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.
[N.B. Data derived from Constructionskills Labour Market Intelligence 2010‐2014.]
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