Fence installer

You can start by doing a college course, for example:

• Level 1 Award in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

This would teach you some of the skills needed for the job. You could then look for a trainee job with a fencing company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can do a fencing installer intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You can apply directly to employers if you have some experience in a practical job like landscape gardening or construction.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the fencing industry from the Association of Fencing Industries.

You'll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• customer service skills
• 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

You'll need a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card before you can work on construction sites or Highways Agency contracts.

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• removing old fencing
• reading fence drawings and plans
• measuring and laying out new fence lines
• levelling the ground
• using hand tools or mechanical diggers
• positioning wooden, concrete or metal posts, and fixing them to a base
• cutting panels to size and fixing them to the posts
• painting and weatherproofing fences

You could work on a construction site, in the countryside or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.