Glaziers work on clients' premises installing glass in windows, doors and other glazed units.

You could fit double glazing at a house, install windows at a new office development or carry out glass repairs. If you like practical tasks and enjoy doing things carefully and precisely, this could be the job for you.

To be a glazier, you should be able to follow technical drawings and plans. You should have good practical skills. You should also be able to take accurate measurements for glass cutting.

Tasks:

• select the correct glass for the job, for example safety glass to go in a shop front or security glass for a bank
• remove the old or broken panes, using tools like suction pads (for larger pieces), chisels and pliers
• remove the beading or putty from frames
• fit the new glass
• make the fitting watertight using sealants, rubber strips, or lead and aluminium flashing.

You would normally use made-to-measure glass panes that have been cut to size in a workshop beforehand. You may need to make some small adjustments to shape pieces on site using diamond- or wheel-cutting tools.

Key skills:

• the ability to follow drawings and plans
• good practical skills
• a careful and methodical approach to your work
• the ability to take accurate measurements for glass cutting
• good maths skills for making calculations
• an awareness of safety issues, particularly when working at heights
• a reasonable level of fitness
• the ability to work as part of a team as well as alone
• good customer service skills
• a creative approach to colour and shape for some specialist jobs.

Average salary (2014):

The United Kingdom: Starting salaries can be between £13,000 and £17,000 a year.

Qualifications and training required:

ou do not always need formal qualifications to become a glazier but employers usually want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, you could look for a job as a glazier's assistant (mate) or labourer to get some experience. Once you are working, your employer may be willing to offer you glazing training.

You may be able to start in this career through a construction Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area.

Source: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk