Fencing Installers put up, maintain and repair fences, gates and other barriers. They position fencing around the perimeter of an area, or along specified lines to cordon off one or more sections of land.
Fence Installers use concrete, timber, wire, plastic and metal to install and repair fences in a wide variety of situations, from fencing off gardens on housing estates to putting up a high-security and acoustic sound deadening fence around an airport. Installers work for fencing companies across a range of industries including construction, highway, rail, landscaping or agriculture companies.
Also known as: Skilled Installer, VRS (Vehicle Restraint Systems) Installer, Fence Erector
You'll need:
knowledge and experience of building and constructing fences
to work well with others
to operate the appropriate tools and equipment
physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness and stamina
excellent attention to detail and the ability to work to plans
to be flexible and open to change
the ability to organise your time and workload
good communication and customer service skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Overalls, gloves and safety boots, and use protective equipment (PPE) such as ear protectors and hard hats will be used when required. Fencing Installers who work on a construction site must hold the FISS (Fencing Industry Skills Scheme) CSCS (Construction Skills Card Scheme) Blue card, and if working on highways in Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS), will need to pass the NHSS10B VRS Foundation and Installer courses.
A driving licence and being able to pull a trailer can help you to find employment.
Around 35-40 hours per week. Fencing businesses can operate seven days a week, so employees often work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing. In larger businesses, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for both full-time and contract work.
Read fence drawings and plans, and measure and lay out new fence lines
Conduct site inspections and work out materials needed to complete each installation
Remove or repair old fencing and gates
Level the ground for new fenced areas
Use hand tools or mechanical diggers to dig post holes and trenches
Position posts and fix them to a base
Cut panels to size and fix them to the posts
Check for gaps and other weaknesses in the fencing and correct these, if needed
Apply finishes like paint, staining and weatherproofing
Many jobs involve working outside in all weather conditions. conditions may be wet, muddy, very cold or very hot. The work can be heavy and there may be noise, fumes and dust from the machinery that is used.
Many Fencing Installers will work over a wide area so need to travel away from home.
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
From a Fencing Installer, you may want to progress with further training to a supervise fencing work with a larger contracting business. You will need additional FISS/CSCS cards.
You could also move into contract management or fencing sales, or set up your own fencing business.
Fencing Installer will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
Diverse, dynamic and rewarding – if you’re practical and love the outdoors, then a career in agriculture could be for you.
Agriculture is diverse, dynamic and rewarding, with a huge range of interesting and varied career options. If you’re practical, hardworking, love the outdoors or have a passion for science and technology then working in agriculture could be for you.
The UK and Ireland's farmers and crofters play a huge part in looking after our natural landscape. While producing food, they can improve biodiversity, plant trees, restore peat, improve water and soil quality, and generate renewable energy. From the latest trends in data science to new methods of animal husbandry, land management and ecology, working in agriculture is a direct way to address the climate emergency, as well as supporting rural life.
If you’re interested in technology, you could work on a farm using the latest equipment and science to produce food sustainably, safely and efficiently. Or if you want to radically change how we produce food and use our land working vertical farming or remote sensing could be for you. More than ever, agriculture needs innovative, enthusiastic people to help make the food we produce both taste good and make good sense for the planet.
Utilised agricultural land use stands over 70% of the total area of the United Kingdom and over 82% of the Republic of Ireland
Total income from farming in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been £4.1 billion in 2020
Economists at Teagasc estimate that in 2021, the average family farm income in the Republic of Ireland increased by 20% from the previous year
Principal destinations for UK food, feed and drink exports include the Republic of Ireland, France, the USA, and the Netherlands
The UK and Republic of Ireland’s highways don’t just keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently – they offer lots of interesting career opportunities too.
Building and maintaining the UK’s highways is a huge undertaking. According to the RAC, there over 32,000 miles of major roads in the UK, making up 13% of all roads. An efficient, effective highway network is an important part of our economy – roads connect people to employment, health care, education and leisure, particularly in rural communities who depend on roads for economic growth. Keeping our road network in good working order is vital and each nation has its own dedicated road management agency to plan, design, build and operate major roads.
In the Republic of Ireland, the primary and secondary road network is some 5,306km long and is made up of motorways, dual carriageways and single lane roads.
Hundreds of workers carry out road improvements every day, following a carefully planned programme of maintenance. There are also roles available in planning and building new roads, with a variety of career options to help make sure this vital work is carried out safely and efficiently.
There are almost 32,000 miles of major roads in the UK
Motorways have the highest average traffic flow with 62,000 vehicles for each mile of motorway per day in 2020
Public sector spending on roads in the UK reached nearly £11 billion in 2020/21, with the amount spent on roads by local authorities being consistently higher than that spent on national roads
In the Republic of Ireland, €35bn of funding has been allocated for transport projects until 2030
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
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These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
Let’s get started!
Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.
An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Find your apprenticeship
You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.
What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.
Explore apprenticeship stories
Association of Fencing Industries (AFI)
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National Farmers Union (NFU)
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Ulster Farmers Union (UFU)
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National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland)
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Farmers' Union of Wales
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NFU Cymru
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National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC)
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Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU)
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Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)
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Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs (Wales YFC)
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Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)
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Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)
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Transport Scotland
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National Highways
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Highways – Welsh Government
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Department of Infrastructure - Northern Ireland
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Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:
Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
If we can support you with any specific information, please click the button below to get in touch.
