Do I need an NVQ to work as a plasterer?

Many firms prefer one, and it supports a skilled worker CSCS card. Proven experience and a good finish matter a lot too.

It is fixing plasterboard to walls and ceilings, then finishing the joints. Many plasterers do it, so list it if you can.

How do I show my work on a CV?

Add a line or two about typical jobs, and keep photos of finished walls and ceilings ready to show at interview.

Plasterer CV example

A strong plasterer CV shows smooth, even finishes and the types of work you take on, such as skimming, rendering and drylining. List NVQ Level 2 and your CSCS card where you have them, and give a sense of your pace and quality.

Profile

Skilled plasterer with NVQ Level 2 and experience skimming walls and ceilings in homes, extensions and refurbishments. Confident with sand and cement render, drylining and repairing older plasterwork. Holds a CSCS card and leaves a clean, smooth finish on every job.

Experience

Plasterer

a small plastering and building company

Skimmed walls and ceilings in new extensions and whole-house refurbishments to a smooth, ready-to-paint finish

Fixed beads and taped and jointed plasterboard before skimming

Repaired cracks and patches in older plaster walls so the repairs blended in

Applied sand and cement render to outside walls using base and finishing coats

Protected floors, windows and fittings with dust sheets and cleaned up at the end of each day

Plasterer's Labourer

a plastering contractor

Mixed plaster and carried boards and materials to each room

Covered floors, masked fittings and cleared debris between coats

Learned to float and skim while working towards NVQ Level 2 at college

Set up platforms and scaffold towers safely under supervision

Example · fictional candidate · Harbour design · Use this design

Tips for a plasterer CV

List your NVQ Level 2 and CSCS card, plus any working at height or tower training
Say what you do, such as skim, render, drylining, coving and patch repairs, or all of them
Mention the types of property you work in, such as new builds, refurbishments or occupied homes
Show the quality of your finish with photos or a reference from a customer or site manager
Give a sense of pace, such as rooms skimmed in a day, but only if it is honest
Add that you protect customers' floors and belongings and keep dust under control

Applying with a cover letter? See our plasterer cover letter example.