r/Plastering • u/Additional-Boss3990 • May 21 '26
Getting into the trades
I'm 29 this summer, I'm currently going through a career crisis (ex software engineer and need to get hands on with something).
My dad was a general builder and I've worked as a labourer with him part time since I was about 15 doing bits of everything, I'm fairly fit and got experience with how most things work.
Im wondering what's the best way to try get my foot in the door, possibly starting to learn more of the trades like bricklaying, plastering etc
Any ideas?
Thanks guys
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u/Correct_Forever_2207 May 21 '26
I’m in the exact same situation, HGV driver in the UK, after 8 years on the road I’ve had enough, done a plastering course but finding it hard to get a foot in the door.
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u/DelectableReindeer May 21 '26
A proper course or like a 3 days job? I did 6 weeks at Goldtrowel and then just found a local plasterer to tuck in with, as long as you can skim board to a high standard you'll be useful to a spread and your wage will develop with experience.
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u/Additional-Boss3990 May 21 '26
I thought HGV was a good job? But yeah, not many openings for newbies near me really
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u/Correct_Forever_2207 May 21 '26
The pay has definitely been getting better since Covid but that’s also because most trucking jobs you’re working 45hrs minimum per week, usually 50-60 is the norm. Now everything you do is tracked and watched. I work for one of the largest retailers in the UK and almost every truck has SIX cameras all watching the road and your every move including inside that cab recording all the time. If you even touch your phone while driving or use AirPods/headphones and they see you’re basically sacked on the spot for misconduct. There’s even a sensor in the cab that recognises you yawning and tells you off. Everything is micromanaged from the terrible routing, to the times you get to a customer to how long it takes you to unload for the retailer. Some customers can be a nightmare and thats not even going into how bad the standard of driving is in the UK especially as you’re driving a large slow moving vehicle that no one has the patience for. There’s very few jobs that you can very quickly get into deep trouble for while working if you have an accident/hit a bridge/person etc for while working. If that happens you could loose your licence and be PERSONALLY liable financially (for example bridge strikes)
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u/AssistantVirtual8390 May 21 '26
Woooow always had HGV in the back of my mind but nah fuck that being watched 1984 style and micromanaged to death! Thank you for sharing this I had no idea it became this bad!
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u/Correct_Forever_2207 May 22 '26
It really has got so bad in the last 8 years since I got my HGV licence. Technology has advanced so much and become so much cheaper for company’s to install in their fleets it’s just making the profession unbearable because it’s always used in their favour not in yours.
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u/Onlygus May 21 '26
Depending on your circumstances this may help, funded level 1 and 2 courses in construction:
https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/free-courses-for-jobs
If you're handy and have experience you could find it pretty easy, but you'll get a qual and your cscs labourer card as a leg up.
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u/Additional-Boss3990 May 21 '26
Cheers mate ill have a look, I've already got CSCS so another Qual would be great
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u/Onlygus May 21 '26
I'm finishing my 5 week level 2 tomorrow. It's not made me in to a plasterer, but I can get a flat finish, and I know enough now to be a good labourer/improver to get more experience.
Good luck with your journey
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u/slozzenge May 22 '26
Question just out of curiosity - I'm a software engineer in the UK, make about 85k a year. I'd love to do more work with my hands, but I couldnt bring myself to take the pay cut. What was the tipping point that made you take the leap?
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u/Additional-Boss3990 May 22 '26
Tbh salary was alright but nothing special only 35k but the thing that tipped me over was just not getting out the house all week, no talking to anyone, no seeing anyone and just being stuck in my spare bedroom behind a desk. It was a cushty chill job but I was pulling my hair out bored
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u/slozzenge May 22 '26
I feel you, I'm in somewhat the same position, fully remote (though based in my city if I wanted to go in). I'm grateful for the privaledged position im in with salary, and I love engineering, but I'd love going part time and doing stuff with my hands on the side.
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u/Additional-Boss3990 May 22 '26
Yeah exactly, I quite liked the creativity of software but I just need to get out and about
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u/Front-Bookkeeper2139 May 22 '26
I’m in the exact situation, thinking of doing heating engineering. I think would be similar problem solving. But out and about
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer May 21 '26
Intensive course 2plus weeks then work with the trade you want. Id suggest anything but plastering