MEMBERS CORNER

MEET THE MEMBERS I joined the Royal Marines at age of 20 and left after 14 years at rank of Sergeant feeling unhappy with why we were doing all the politicians dirty work and seeing a lot if my friends and companions getting seriously injured or killed. Especially as there was no real aftercare for these brave men thus several charities having to start up. I had always been a hands on guy doing several of my own houses but couldn't get to grips with plastering. As part of leaving the Marines they give you funding to learn something new to move into civilian life. I chose plastering and did a six week intensive course that gave me a qualification and a basic understanding of the trade. From there I went straight into the deep end on sites and had to learn fast, sink or swim scenario. I quickly became confident enough to start on my own building up a small business and taking on many apprentices who have now gone on to working for themselves and doing well. I now have scaled it back taking on my son as apprentice and going for more high end work like microcement and other bespoke areas. It's been a tough ride but feels like I'm about to come out he other end of it doing well. MEET THE MEMBERS Been plastering since I was 14 ,family all plasterers, it was a case of mix up or learn, soon realised which one was best,we didn't have mixing drills back then ,stick and angle bead to get lumps out, metal bath for the browning, and outside on the mixer sand and cement which there was a lot of in them days.  But hay ho stuck at it ,made a bloody good living and still do! Love the job don't work a day in my life enjoy it all the time ,always learning new stuff, wouldn't change a thing ! MEET THE MEMBERS Now then where to start, I got kicked out of school in year 10, sent to a construction college 2 days a week where I gained a Lvl 1 diploma in plastering, bricklaying, paint+dec, plumbing, tiling, joinery/carp, and H+S. They got me an apprentice at a large drylining firm, I got suspended with full pay 8 and a half months into it and sacked on the first year mark. I got signed up with another firm instantly but work drylied up so they agreed to leave me signed up until end of apprenticeship. I instantly went self employed with all my contacts gained and growing, I eventually found my own way up. Its only took me 5 firms(2 as an apprentice) 14 work partners(9 as an apprentice) And a couple different builders which supply regular work, In 3 and a half years but im finally settled as a self teaching internal plasterer with constant work(till dec 2021 so far) and everything possibly needed for internal plastering. The only downside is not being able to drive and have a vehicle but I employ my older half brother as he drives or I have a few drivers on tap, failing that taxis will do if tools are on the job. Im 19 and feel more than competent on majority of modern internal plastering, although Im still learning day in day out through groups such as these, the contacts Ive made along the way and solo on-the-job experiences. Made a few cock ups along the way although nothing major as of yet, but the responsiblity of getting up in a morning and organising not only my own shit but work for a couple of my brothers occasionally is getting unbearable. I need time to learn and adjust but dont seem to find time or energy as Im pricing relativley big jobs, sorting materials, organising everything and sorting cock ups ect. Im earning £130-£180 dayrate and usually between £120-£230 on price work so theres no issue there. All me family are dole dossers so Ive never witnessed anyone commit to any job or career so theres my motivation but it sure is hard when all others have had 3+ grants and Ive struggled through the whole of it lol. Cheers for listening, take care. MEET THE MEMBERS Started plastering 4 years ago. Learnt off a chap that I was working with. 12months mixing up and the odd trowel up at the end of the day. Slowly started doing more and more for the next year then he left and had to learn a bit more on my own. MEET THE MEMBERS I’m a third generation plasterer, I think it’s in the DNA. Never really wanted to do it but it gets addictive. I also do plastering videos it’s become a bit of a habit :-)