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- Carry out repairs on buildings and structures to make them safe
- Requires practical skills, maths skills, communication skills
- You could be promoted to supervisor or manager or become self-employed
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Installing lightning conductors on buildings
- Fitting aircraft warning lights on tall structures
- Replacing roof glass
- Repairing masonry
- Painting structures
- Dismantling or demolishing tall chimneys or buildings
- Inspecting structures for damage
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work on structures, on a construction site, at a power station, in a commercial building, on high rise buildings or on monuments and castles.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height, dusty and physically demanding and you may need to wear safety clothing. Your hours may vary with the demands of the job. You'll often need to work shifts and overtime, including evenings and weekends.
You may drive from job to job with equipment so you'll usually need a driving licence.
You'll need
This role requires practical skills, maths skills, and communication skills.
You can apply directly to become a steeplejack. Employers may ask for GCSEs, or equivalent, in maths, English, science or design and technology.
Experience in general construction, scaffolding, roofing or electrical work may give you an advantage.
If you want to work as a lightning conductor engineer, you'll need ability in maths and a basic understanding of electrical theory.
You can also get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship in accessing and rigging. This will usually take 18 months to complete. You'll do on the job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could be promoted to supervisor or manager. You could become self-employed.