Walking through the centre of a large city, you may notice scaffolding every few hundred metres. They are used not only for the renovation of historical buildings, but also for small and large construction projects, such as the construction of detached and semi-detached houses, warehouses, halls and office buildings, but also for the construction of concert stages in the event and entertainment industry. They are even used by cleaning crews (when cleaning or maintaining windows in tall buildings). Scaffolding is also used in work carried out by renovation, installation and repair companies - for photovoltaic installations, roof or façade repairs and building insulation work. Each is installed by a person specially trained to do so. Many companies use scaffolding. Because of their popularity and widespread use - many industries need experts to install them. It is therefore worth becoming a scaffolder. The ever-increasing demand and the ease with which jobs can be found make it worth considering this career path and taking a specialist course in scaffolding installation. At present, the Polish labour market is experiencing a shortage of professionals in this sector. Many of them have gone abroad in search of better pay. This makes it an interesting option for those wishing to find work in other EU countries, as well as in our own country, where there is a shortage of specialists in this field on the labour market. When considering training and choosing a new career path, it is worth paying attention to the salary, which may depend, among other things, on the employee's experience and qualifications, but also on the location and size of the given company. The average salary for a scaffolder is about PLN 3,500 gross. However, it is possible to find much higher salaries and better employment conditions abroad, e.g. in Scandinavian countries.
Training as a scaffolder
If you are planning to attend a scaffolder training course, it would be useful to have a vocational degree in construction, but this is not required. The course can turn a complete amateur into a good professional. Taking it can improve your situation on the labour market, as well as teaching you useful skills and giving you the necessary qualifications. Sometimes the Job Centre subsidises training of this kind. It is therefore worth bearing this in mind. Keep in mind that this is a position that involves working at heights, which can be quite a challenge for people who do not feel very confident at heights. The basic requirements to take the course are that you must be at least 18 years of age, have at least a basic education and have a current medical certificate that proves you are not qualified to work at heights. You do not need to meet any other additional conditions or go through complicated procedures.
In our center, we offer a scaffolding fitter course and can be completed at a very attractive price, taking into account the prices of the competition. The course consists of a practical and theoretical part. It takes place in our specialized training institutions. The task of our qualified instructors is to prepare the student for the exam, which takes place before the appointed Examination Board. During the theoretical part of the exam, students must demonstrate knowledge of health and safety rules, as well as the ability to prepare technical documentation and knowledge of the principles of constructing various types of scaffolding. On the other hand, the practical part includes checking the practical skills in the field of work appropriate for a scaffolding fitter, including the correct operation of the equipment. During the exam, the scaffolding assembly and disassembly should be presented and the stability and safety of the assembled structure should be assessed. The installer's license is issued by the Institute of Mechanization of Building and Rock Mining. After passing the exam, each student receives the Machine Operator's Book - the Scaffolding Fitter's Book. The qualifications are obligatory for any person who wants to work on the assembly and disassembly of metal assembly and construction scaffolds.
The very name of the profession speaks about what a scaffolding fitter can do. However, in practice, the range of duties is much wider than it seems. It includes the assembly and disassembly of the structure, as well as the prior planning of its location and ensuring that the use of the assembled scaffolding is safe. Incorrectly connected scaffolding can be extremely dangerous for the worker on it, therefore any mistake can end tragically. This profession definitely belongs to the group of highly responsible professions.
Scaffold installation Scaffold installation should only be carried out in full accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure the required level of safety. Before assembling the structure, all its components should be checked for completeness and defects, e.g. unusual shape. Please note that the acceptance of the scaffolding must be carried out by the site manager or an authorised person. The entire process must be confirmed by an entry in the site log or an acceptance report. The manufacturer of a particular system stipulates the sequence of assembly that workers must follow. The levelling of the structure and the correct anchoring is a factor that ensures safe and smooth erection. It is important not to forget the safety elements included in a particular set-up, such as railings or nets.
Scaffolding assembler is undoubtedly an interesting career path. Is it worth pursuing? This question needs to be answered after thinking about the main points raised in the text above. The job of a scaffolder is not a job that requires long training, many qualifications and years of experience. All you need to do is to get the right qualifications and to perform your tasks in accordance with regulations and safety rules.
