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Formworker

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

Annual Salary

£19,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 40 week

You could work: as a contractor / self-employed; away from home

4.8%
Future employment

There will be 4.8% fewer Formworker jobs in 2027.

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 may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

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 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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • be able to cope with working at height

More information

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.

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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.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

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, dexterity and grace
  • 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
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