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Formworker

Alternative titles for this job include Form carpenter, concrete carpenter

Formworkers build temporary wood or metal frameworks, used to cast concrete and other materials in construction projects.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 week

You could work

as a contractor / self-employed away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards
  • applying directly

College

You could take a course in carpentry skills that may help you get into this role.

Courses include:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry
  • Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

Entry requirements

You may need:

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a formworker intermediate apprenticeship.

You may also gain some of the skills and knowledge for this role from a carpentry and joinery intermediate apprenticeship.

These typically take between 18 and 24 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

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

More Information

Work

You may be able to work your way into formwork from other construction trades like site labourer. Your employer may be able to support you to gain a qualification through a formworker apprenticeship.

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs if you have experience and qualifications from related construction trades like carpentry or joinery.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

There may be schemes in your area to help you gain construction work experience. Talk to a careers adviser or job coach or check out the work experience advice from Go Construct.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Woodworking Federation for professional development and networking opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more on careers in formwork from Go Construct.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of maths
  • the ability to work well with others
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be able to cope with working at height

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you could:

  • make formwork and falsework 'casts' or moulds to form concrete items like foundations, staircases, beams, columns and walls
  • read and interpret site drawings, instructions and plans
  • measure, shape and cut materials like wood and metal
  • build wooden structures using power and hand tools
  • assemble pre-made metal frames, scaffolding and platforms
  • quality check casts to make sure shape and measurements are correct
  • repair any broken parts
  • work with other site workers to pour concrete
  • once set, take formwork apart to be reused
  • move, handle and store materials safely

Working environment

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, at height, outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could be self-employed and run your own business, working as a contractor for different companies.

With experience and further qualifications you could move into a supervisory position, overseeing the work of a construction team.

You could transfer your skills to working in other carpentry and joinery jobs.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Joiner

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: L39 1LL

Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship – Site Carpentry

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Kempshott, Basingstoke
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Site Carpentry

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Diploma in Site Carpentry

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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