What's involved?

There are a number of methods used to prepare a substrate (underlying surface). A surface preparation operative selects the correct method for each job, operates the specialist machinery needed to do the work and then safely transports, offloads and maintains the equipment involved.

Skills required

The job is physically demanding so you'll need to be reasonably fit as well as practical and good with your hands so you can operate the specialist machinery.

You'll need to be co-operative and team-orientated and have good numeracy skills as you'll be calculating surface areas and volumes. You'll also need to be able to read plans, diagrams and information sheets.

Some time may be taken up travelling between different work sites and projects, so a driving licence may be useful.

Qualifications required

There are no formal requirements although Standard Grades in Maths and English may be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory.

Salary ranges

(This is a guide to the average salary a fully qualified and experienced person might expect to get.)

£20,500 - £25,000

Progression routes

If you decide to progress into supervisory, design or management roles there are opportunities to study for:

• Technical, supervisory and  management SVQ qualifications (SCQF Levels 6 to11)
• HNC Construction or a number of other built environment HNC/HND qualifications (SCQF Levels 7 or 8)
• Degree level qualifications in a number of construction disciplines (SCQF Levels 9 to 12)

More information is available from the Resin Flooring Association at: www.ferfa.org.uk