Do you find it satisfying to see building plans come true? Do you enjoy dividing large areas into smaller ones to create wall partitions? Then you might want to consider becoming a dry liner.
A dry liner possesses various skills and techniques to pull off his main task of creating partitions. And today, the dry lining industry provides better opportunities for dry liners. Learn more about being a dry liner, what your day-to-day life would look like, and what you’ll need to become one below.
What a dry liner does
As a dry liner, you’ll be tasked to put up internal walls at residential and commercial establishments. You’re in charge of applying plasters to walls and ceilings to create partitions, as well as suspended ceilings and raised flooring. A dry liner is also responsible for creating space for insulation and hiding visible pipes and wiring.
Dry lining involves two stages: fixing and finishing. At the fixing stage, you have to measure and cut plasterboards to the right sizes and angles. You also have to cut panels to fit around doorways and create openings around windows. Using special studs, you also have to fix panels to ceiling joists, metal frames, and timber.
At the finishing stage, you seal and tape the joints once the plasterboard is in place. Then, you apply a thin layer of plaster over the tape. It’s also at this stage that you sand down the area ready for painting and decorating.
How to become a dry liner
According to the National Careers Service, there are various ways to get started in the dry lining in industry. You can either do any of the following:
- Take a college course
- Be an apprentice
- Work toward this role
- Apply directly
You could take college courses to become a dry liner. Courses include Level 1 Award in Dry Lining Operations and Level 2 Diploma in Dry Lining. For the level 1 course, you’ll need at least two or fewer GSCEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G). For the level 2 course, you’ll need two or more GSCEs at grades 9 to 3 (A to D).
You may also opt to become an apprentice to get the job. You’ll need to complete a construction specialist interior systems intermediate apprenticeship. The intermediate apprenticeship requires some GCSEs, usually including English and maths.
Another option is to become a dry liner’s ‘mate.’ You can join a company and be put into training to achieve industry skills and qualifications. You can also apply directly if you have experience working as a building operative or woodworker.
Skills and tools
A dry liner possesses various skills to work on the job. Here are some of them:
- Knowledge of building and construction
- Attention to detail
- Team player
- Patience and the ability to work under stressful conditions
- Ability to accept criticism
- Knowledge of maths
- Ability to work well with your hands
- Ability to use a computer or a handheld device
- Goal-oriented
Aside from skills, a dry liner also needs tools to work on creating partitions. Check out these dry lining tools for sale that you can use to start learning the craft.
Are you ready to become a dry liner? Choose how you want to pursue this job and polish your skills to become a full-fledged dry liner.
