An apprentice glazier measures, installs, and repairs glass in residences, hotels, companies, and workplaces. As a glazier, you would choose appropriate glass for the project, remove old and broken panes, and verify that the glass is watertight.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- choose glass for the job
- remove old or broken panes, beading and putty
- work out how much glass is needed for each job
- follow diagrams and measurements to cut glass to size
- fit new glass and make sure the sealing is watertight
- shape glass using diamond or wheel-cutting tools
- make decorative glass panels or double glazing units.
Salary
- Apprentice glaziers can earn £17,000 – £20,000 per year.
- Trained glaziers with some experience can earn £20,000 – £35,000
- Senior glaziers can earn £35,000 – £50,000
- Self-employed glaziers set their own pay rate.
Working hours
As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work 43 to 45 hours a week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.
Working environment
You could work at a client’s home or at a client’s business.
Your working environment may be at height.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice glazier include:
- Level 2 Fenestration Installer – Entry requirements for this level include some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship. This qualification takes 18 months to complete.
Skills
On a glazier apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- knowledge of building and construction
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to work well with others
- persistence and determination
- physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
- knowledge of maths
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could work on specialist projects, like restoration work on churches or listed buildings.
Other options include moving into site management, estimating or glass product design.