Glazier

A glazier measures, cuts and fits glass, or occasionally transparent plastic, parts such as window panes, mirrors or security screens, into a building. A glazier may specialise in, for instance, window fixing, double glazing or glass roofs.

The Work

You could be:

• checking drawings or patterns to make sure the plan is correct
• choosing the most suitable kind of glass, for example plate, security, opaque, ornamental, mirror


• measuring and choosing suitable pre-cut sections of glass


• when replacing a pane, removing all traces of old glass


• scoring through and breaking old panes and removing them in sections, using pliers to dislodge sharp fragments
• removing old beading; chipping away and clearing old putty


• using suction pads to fit the glass into the frame and using putty, rubber strips or wooden beading to secure it


• fitting pre-glazed units which come already set into wooden, metal or pvc frame - this may involve fitting hinges or handles and drilling and screwing the unit directly into the brickwork


• working with colleagues or on your own, depending on the size of glass panels.

Conditions

• You work both indoors and outdoors, often at heights, on scaffolding, from a suspended cradle or sometimes on a roof.


• There is a risk of serious injury to yourself or others.


• Glass panes can be large, heavy and difficult to manage.


• You wear protective clothing: helmet and footwear as well as, sometimes, goggles, gloves, wrist- and ear-protectors.


• You will sometimes have to use special equipment like diamond or wheelcutters.


• You will work irregular hours and be on call evenings and weekends.


• You might have to travel to work and spend some time away from home.

Getting In

• The normal entry route is by an apprenticeship - by Skillseekers or a Modern Apprenticeship registered with the Scottish Building Apprenticeship Training Council (SBATC).


• You do not always need formal qualifications, but Standard grades in English, maths and a technological subject are helpful.
• You usually have to take an aptitude test before entry.


• A driving licence is often needed.


• You must be fit and agile, with normal eyesight.


• From 2010 workers in the construction sector must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent. You must pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• a sense of responsibility and awareness of safety issues


• a careful, accurate, methodical approach


• an eye for detail


• patience and the ability to concentrate well


• a strong and steady hand, a good head for heights and a good sense of balance.

• understand plans and diagrams


• know about different types of glass and materials


• follow written and verbal instructions


• measure accurately and calculate quantities
• work neatly and tidily - even a small sliver of glass can cause injury.

Training

With on-the-job and off-the-job training, you would work towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at Levels 2 and 3 in Glazing Installation and Maintenance.

Getting On

• With experience, in a large company, you can move into a supervisory post.
• You might move into specialised glazing work, for instance in historic buildings or churches.
• You might become self-employed.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Pay rates vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of your company


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Most construction employees find it very satisfying to know that they have helped build something that might well last for generations.

• Double glazing helps reduce heat loss from a house, and there are good opportunities for double glaziers in both new-build sites and in individual older properties.
• Around 10% of women make up the UK construction workforce and the industry is encouraging more women to join.
• The construction industry predicts that about 37,000 new entrants a year will be recruited in each of the next 4 years, excluding new entrant trainees.
• There should be more construction opportunities arising in the Glasgow area over the next few years as preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games go ahead.

Addresses

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