Ames Taper

Ames tapers stick tape to the surfaces of walls and ceilings. This seals the joints between sheets of plasterboard, leaving a seamless finish ready for decoration.

Ames tapers are sometimes called drywall or dryline finishers.

The Work

You could be:

• nailing down the surface of a wall or ceiling


• mixing sealing compound and spreading it by hand with a trowel over joints


• pressing paper tape over compound, covering joints and nails


• spreading the compound and taping the joint all in one, using a special machine


• sanding down the rough spots and filling cracks and holes


• fitting metal mouldings at corners


• spraying on a special compound which gives a texture to the wall and ceiling.

Conditions

• You are on your feet all the time, standing, bending or kneeling.


• You balance on ladders, scaffolding or stilts.


• Sometimes you must squeeze into small spaces.


• The workshop and on-site locations will be dusty and maybe noisy so you will need to wear a face-mask and ear protectors.


• You have to buy your own taping machines if self-employed.


• You have to travel to and from the sites, transporting materials.


• You may have to work away from home.


• You work mostly indoors.


• You will probably work shifts and overtime with possible night-shifts.

Getting In

You do not always need formal qualifications, but Standard grades in English, Maths and Craft and Design are useful.

From 2010 you have to hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to work on site. You will need to pass a health and safety test and have a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) certificate.

As a young person you will normally enter by one of two ways.

• An apprenticeship (either two or four years depending on age) with a company, registered with the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council.


• Government training scheme such as Skillseekers or a Modern Apprenticeship.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• good with your hands


• good at basic maths


• safety-conscious


• physically fit


• patient


• good at spotting imperfections


• able to work to deadlines.

Training

Part time study leading to SVQ Level 2 Interior Systems (Construction) (Dry Lining Finishing) at Queenslie Training Centre (see City Building (Glasgow) LLP website, below). The course involves attending college in nine one-week blocks, with the rest of the training on-site.

Getting On

Most ames tapers work for contractors, but some are self-employed in which case they must have their own equipment and tools. Most of the work is in cities. In remote areas it is painters and joiners who carry out this work.

Pay

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

• where you work


• the size of 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.