Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Cement masons and concrete finishers smoothen and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. They mostly align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Cement masons and concrete finishers place and finish concrete. Colouring concrete surfaces, exposing aggregate (small stones) in walls and sidewalks or making concrete beams, columns, and panels are some responsibilities of theirs. For that, they inspect completed work to ensure proper installation. Further, they position construction forms or moulds to the finished concrete surfaces. Additionally, they spread concrete or other aggregate mixtures and monitor construction operations.
The most common important skills employers are looking for in candidates applying for concrete finishing are cracking, use of hand tools, construction experience, power tools, sewing, grinding and grouting ability.
Cement masons don’t require any specific educational requirement, but some apprentice programs may require a high school diploma. Generally, people begin their career with on-the-job training during an apprenticeship with an experienced craftsman.
Concrete finishers' salary ranges in four-five digits after usually working long eight-hour shifts, however, their hours may be increased or decreased depending upon weather conditions and requirements.
To be a successful concrete finisher, you require three important skills critical thinking, time management and equipment knowledge.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- NSQF Level 4 Mason Special Finishing
- NSQF Level 1 Assistant Mason
Tasks
- Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
- Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
- Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
- Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
- Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
- Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
- Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
- Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
- Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
- Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
Progression Routes
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