To become a glazier, it is necessary to work with glass, be prepared to labor long hours, and know various health and safety techniques. A minimum of three years education is typically required although this can be a combination of classroom and employment. There are also internships available to those above 18 years of age although these positions are hard to come by due to intense competition. At the beginning of their careers, glaziers serve as apprentices who carry out routine tasks while learning skills from experienced workers. Through this process, they pick up valuable techniques in addition to classroom learning.
An individual who decides to become a glazier needs to realize that it is a demanding profession. Work often occurs outdoors in the midst of poor weather. Sharp, powerful tools are used, and glaziers must learn how to work with broken glass without getting injured. Injuries and illness among glaziers are among the highest in any vocation. This means that the ability to follow strict health and safety guidelines is a must.
Another thing for anyone who wishes to become a glazier to note is that the job requires physical and manual dexterity. The work can be demanding on the joints with constant bending, standing, and kneeling involved. The standard work week for glaziers is 40 hours although this can rise to 60 during periods of heavy construction.
I is usually necessary to complete a minimum of three years of classroom and practical training to become a glazier. The majority of glaziers begin their career by obtaining employment with a contractor who provides training during the course of the job. Beginners usually start as assistants to experienced glaziers.
Certain employers offer internship opportunities which are a combination of classroom education and on-the-job training. Someone seeking to become a glazier through an internship program generally must be at least 18 years old. These programs usually last three years but could be shorter should applicants possess exceptional skill. It should be noted that there are only a small number of available internships compared to the number of prospective glaziers.
Inexperience glaziers carry out jobs such as cleaning up debris and carrying glass. The main method of practicing their skills involves working on discarded glass. Once these new glaziers have been employed long enough, they get the opportunity to work on basic installation jobs.
By working with experienced glaziers, newcomers gradually learn more and eventually acquire the same level of skill as their more seasoned mentors. They are then required to use more advanced equipment to measure, handle, and cut metal and glass framing. Other skills such as reading blueprints, mathematics, health and safety techniques, and installation are often taught in the classroom.
