Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Working Life

Pours, protects, and repairs concrete on construction sites. Creating concrete structures requires ensuring the concrete is mixed correctly and poured to the correct depth and pitch. A variety of placing methods may be used by Finishers, such as concrete wagon chute, concrete pump, concrete skip or wheelbarrow. The concrete may then be spread and levelled using shovels or rakes, before smoothing the surface, with a hand trowel, or specialised powered equipment.

This is the basic outline of the task, but depending on the nature of the project the job may require a broader range of skills and knowledge, to deal with challenges of scale or technical difficulty.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
• Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
• Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
• Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
• Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
• Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
• Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
• Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
• Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
• Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Pathways into concrete finishing can be varied but generally skills will be developed on the job while working as a General Construction Operative in the Construction sector. 

Some employers provide training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed Health & Safety or Skills Certs prior to employment.

Key Skill Certs:

Manual Handling: refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in back injury.

SafePass: Safe Pass is a mandatory one-day Health and Safety awareness programme.

Concreteing.

These courses are available all around Ireland full & part time at low or no cost in FET Centres, you can search these key Skills Certs via Search our FET CourseFinder 

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: construction, groundwork skills training

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: building, construction technology, sustainable construction technology.

Search for PLC Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties. role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Salary expert/ Indeed/ WRC Construction rates

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Elementary construction occupations, Scaffolders, stagers and riggers, Road construction operatives, Rail construction and maintenance operatives, Construction operatives n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth for this occupation was below average with only marginal annual changes over the five-year period. There was a high share of recent job hires for these roles indicating that many of the roles may be transitory in nature. Over a third held at most lower secondary education, far exceeding the national average. A quarter of those employed were non-Irish citizens, also above the national average.

Scaffolders featured strongly in the online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and also in the DSP data along with floor and wall cladding installers and groundworkers. The small number of employment permits issued in 2023 were mainly for scaffolders. The first awards made to learners on the new scaffolding apprenticeship programme were made in 2024 with 27 QQI awards made at NFQ level 5.

Demand for scaffolders appeared strong but the numbers employed are too small to determine if supply from the education/training system is sufficient to meet demand.

• Construction Industry Federation

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