Bill Poster or Advertising Installer

Bill posters or advertising installers put adverts or posters on billboards, hoardings, ad-trailers or underground train platforms or into glass display units in shopping malls, airports or train stations.

The Work

You could be:

• preparing posters in sections by: putting them in the right order, rolling them in water to keep them supple, numbering them and writing on the client’s name


• at the site, removing old posters and cleaning the surface


• using a brush to put fresh paste on the boards and smooth new posters into place


• removing wrinkles and air bubbles and washing down the board to get rid of extra paste


• trimming edges, checking that the sheets of the poster match up and tidying up the site


• maintaining the panels and sites by removing graffiti, painting and repairing the frames, maybe also trimming the grass and picking up litter


• unscrewing glass display units on escalators, bus shelters and trains to remove and replace posters


• fixing metal faces in rotating units to display different adverts


• using ropes, harnesses and access gear to climb high structures.

Conditions

• You often have to work at heights on a ladder or from a suspension cradle and in all weathers.


• You may have to start early in the morning and finish late at night, travelling to different sites.


• You are on your feet for most of the day.


• You have to wear protective overalls, a safety helmet and warm clothing if you are working high up.


• If you work at heights you must use ropes, harnesses and access gear. These must comply with Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) guidelines and be checked regularly.

Getting In

• You do not need qualifications for entry but you should have good hand skills.


• A full driving licence is usually essential to drive to sites.


• You need stamina, a good sense of balance and a good head for heights.


• You apply direct to bill posting companies for trainee posts.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• attentive to detail and overall visual effect


• able to work alone or in a team


• aware of health and safety including the needs of your team.

Training

• Training is on the job with a skilled bill poster for up to 6 months.


• Some employers also run short induction courses of 1-2 weeks to cover the basic skills.


• The IRATA runs Technician level courses. These are for installers who work at heights with rope, harness and access gear.


• HSS Training Solutions runs training courses with the Outdoor Advertising Association (OAA) for advertising installers.

Getting On

• With experience, you might become a supervisor or project manager.


• You could set up your own business but you would have to travel a lot to make a living.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.