Sealant applicator

How to become a sealant applicator

There are several routes to becoming a sealant applicator. Many sealant applicators started their career in another area of construction but you can gain the qualifications you need by 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 who are able to follow instructions.

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

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.

The Association of Sealant Applicators (ASA) runs its own apprenticeship scheme. This leads to an NVQ Level 2 in Specialist Installation Occupations – Joint Sealant Application. You’d be an apprentice for two years and this would involve working on the job, with study sessions at the ASA’s own training centre. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

Work

The Association of Sealant Applicators training programme is open to people who have already been working in construction and wish to specialise.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

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 as a sealant applicator. 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 looking to become a sealant applicator may include:

• Knowledge of construction
• Confident working with your hands
• Good communication skills
• Thorough, with good attention to detail.

Qualifications

What does a sealant applicator do?

As a sealant applicator you could be:

• Applying new sealant (such as silicone or putty) to make joints airtight or waterproof
• Smoothing and finishing seals
• Removing old sealant
• Fireproofing structures
• Assessing any risks and working safely
• Using sealants on door frames, windows, floors, tiles, building façades, sanitary ware (toilets, sinks, bidets, baths and showers)
• Carrying out structural bonding, such as glass to glass seals
• Understanding client expectations
• Estimating the materials needed to do the job
• Working at a client’s home or business, or on a construction site.

How much could you earn as a sealant applicator?

• Trained with experience sealant applicators can earn in the region of £20,000 - £35,000.*

Salaries will depend on your location, employer and any overtime that you do.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest Sealant Applicator vacancies: 

• Indeed

• Trovit Jobs

As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

You could progress to become a buyer or an estimator, or become a supervisor or team leader and earn a higher salary.

You could also set up your own business and work as a self-employed subcontractor.