You could take a college course which may help you to get a trainee job. Courses include:

• construction skills
• construction operations
• interior systems
• dry lining

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do an Interior Systems Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This typically takes 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You could apply directly to work as a ceiling fixer. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and design and technology. Experience as a construction labourer or tradesperson will be helpful.

You'll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of maths
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• have a good level of fitness

As a ceiling fixer, you could:

• read technical drawings to plan a job's tasks
• work from high access platforms, ladders or scaffolding
• measure, set out and cut aluminium frameworks that hold ceiling panels
• fit insulation materials into ceiling spaces
• use hand and power tools to install panels
• trim materials to fit around fixtures like lights
• create ceiling openings for tradespeople, like electricians, to get access
• fit partitioning, dry lining or raised access flooring
• check the quality of work

You could work at a client's business, at a client's home or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be cramped and at height.

You may need to wear protective clothing.