Dryliner

Also known as - Drywaller.

Dryliners create walls and rooms in buildings. They use plasterboard to hide pipes and wires, make space for insulation and smooth out uneven surfaces. They can build suspended ceilings, raised floors, and provide specialist soundproofing. The role involves measuring, cutting and attaching plasterboard (fixing), and sealing over joints between boards to smooth the edges (finishing).

Fixing things
Secondary qualifications
Trade-Craft
Onsite

What does a dryliner do?

As a dryliner you will be responsible for creating walls using plasterboard.

The job role of a dryliner involves the following duties:

Measuring and cutting plasterboard to the right size
Fixing boards to metal or timber ceiling joists
Cutting boards to fit around doorways and windows
Sealing joints using fillers and adhesives
Taping over seals and applying plaster to the boards
Sanding down surfaces ready for painting and decorating
Working at a client’s home or business, or on a construction site.

How to become a dryliner

There are several routes to becoming a dryliner. You can start on your career path by studying on a college course or doing an apprenticeship.

You should explore the options to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options will list qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and able to follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

College/training provider

You may have to attend a specialist college/training provider to train as a dryliner. You could study for a Level 1 Award in Dry Lining Operations or a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Dry Lining.

Traineeship

If you are aged between 16 and 24 you may be eligible for a traineeship. This is a short course (2 weeks - 6 months) which helps you to gain work experience in your chosen role.

Find out more about traineeships

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

An intermediate apprenticeship in drylining takes around 2 years to complete. Alternatively, you could initially follow a plastering apprenticeship route, and then specialise in drylining.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you can find a job as a dryliner’s labourer, mate or assistant, your employer may help you to do further training on-the-job to gain more skills.

If you have on-site experience in woodworking, plastering or partitioning experience, you may be able to apply directly to an employer for a job.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works in construction. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a dryliner include:

Knowledge of building and construction
Be thorough and pay attention to detail
Ability to work well with others
Be flexible and open to change
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Ability to work well with your hands
Able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Qualifications

England

To become a dryliner, you could complete a:

Level 2 NVQ in Interior Systems
Level 2 Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship

Scotland

To become a dryliner, you could complete a:

A SVQ in Interior Systems (Construction): Dry Lining - Fixing or Finishing at SCQF level 5
A Scottish Modern Apprenticeship (Construction Specialist) in Dry Lining Fixing and Dry Lining Finishing pathways.

Wales

To become a dryliner, you could complete a:

Level 3 NVQ in Drylining
Level 3 Apprenticeship in Construction solid Plastering or Drylining

How much could you earn as a dryliner?

The expected salary for a dryliner varies as you become more experienced

Newly trained dryliners can earn in the region of £21,000
Trained with experience dryliners can earn in the region of £65,000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

You could progress to become a drylining quantity surveyor or an estimator. Alternatively, you could become a site supervisor or team leader and earn a higher salary.

It is possible for dryliners to specialise or move into a related trade. You could become a ceiling fixer, partitioning systems operative or plasterer.

You could set up your own business and work as a subcontractor for construction companies.