Interior Systems Installer – DryLiner – Apprenticeship

The broad purpose of the Interior Systems Installer occupation is to install, repair and maintain various elements of the internal structure of a building to a high standard (such as ceilings above and walls around the structure). This apprenticeship pathway route includes methods to install different drylining systems that form the walls and rooms within a building, often used to hide wires and pipes while improving acoustics and creating space for insulation.

This occupation is found in the construction and built environment industry including new-build, renovation and refurbishment.  It is a specialist contracting occupation largely involved in the construction of partitions, walls and ceilings.  The interior systems sector alone has over 35,000 operatives working on extremely diverse projects in hotels, schools, airports, football stadia, hospitals and shopping centres.  However, other projects may mean working on security controlled installations such as military bases which may never be seen or used by the public.  Interior systems operatives have also played a major part in the construction of iconic structures which are known throughout the world and include Canary Wharf, the Olympic Stadium, Battersea Power Station and the Shard. This is a fast-growing sector, with many opportunities for career progression into site supervision and management positions which can lead to individuals running their own businesses.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other colleagues, other trades, site supervisors, site managers, end users, main contractors and suppliers.  Environments could range from internal and external construction sites to occupied buildings such as large commercial properties or residential tower blocks with apartments and specialist buildings such as car showrooms.  The work would usually be during normal weekday hours but unsocial hours may also be necessary.  The work will be physically active, including lifting and fixing systems into place.  Work could be at height from a platform or mobile scaffold and operatives will need to follow strict safe working practices at all times in whichever occupational area they choose. They will report to a supervisor or site manager and be capable of managing their own time, quality and resources to meet deadlines and specifications. 

Typical job titles include:

• Drylining Fixer
• Interior Systems Operative
• Operable Partitioner Installer

You need to be highly motivated and working in the maintenance or construction industry. Your job role and responsibilities should allow you to provide evidence for the knowledge, skills and behaviours of this apprenticeship standard. DCG assessors will check your job description and advise accordingly. 

You also need a GCSE grade D/3 or above in English and Maths. 

You will undertake a basic skills test in literacy and numeracy.

A commitment to your own learning and performance in a working environment is essential.

Please note that – in line with the Consumer Act and as articulated in our Student Protection Plan – we reserve the right to close a course, if there are insufficient students to make the course viable.

If your course is free, please note this is subject to eligibility and funding criteria.

A Dry Liner will know:

• General principles of building design and regulation particularly in relation to interface with internal construction including: how fire spreads through a building, how to impede it and protect the structure; noise nuisance, noise transfer, noise reverberation and how to reduce it with improved acoustics; vibration and how to reduce it; and the need for air and water barriers – Vapour Control Layers (VCL) and Damp Proof Membranes (DPM) – to seal a building, how these work, materials used and where they are found.
• The different methods to install dry lining systems to metal and stud partitions, framed wall linings, and framed and frameless beam and column encasements.
• The importance of health and safety and how to work safely, including working at height and use of access equipment (eg scissor lifts, mobile towers), asbestos awareness and manual handling, plus the appropriate additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may be required for various tasks eg cutting metal, drilling and shot-firing.
• The purpose and importance of risk assessments, method statements and Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments.
• How to calculate quantity, length, area and wastage from sources such as setting out drawings, using BIM, digital working and Computer Aided Drawing (CAD).
• How to identify suitable materials, components, equipment and resources in accordance with the project specification (eg fire, acoustics and deflection requirements).
• The tools, equipment, plant and machinery appropriate for use in each project type, eg scaffold, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), nail gun, circular saw and lasers.
• The industry standards which cover the interior systems sector including BS 5234-1:1992, BS 8000-0:2014, BS 8000-8:1994, BS EN 13964:2014 and FIS Best Practice Guidelines.
• How to utilise materials in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• The importance of a clean and tidy environment and the impact on zero/low carbon outcomes in the built environment.
• The importance of occupational health and mental health and how to deal with stress and conflict inherent in the workplace, eg drugs and alcohol, face fit testing, dust, noise, vibration and asbestos.
• The different materials and components to install and finish drylining and plasterboard linings eg panels, plasterboards, wallboards, thermal boards, glass reinforced gypsum board, fixings and fittings, and metal sections (primarily cold rolled light gauge steel sections eg drylining stud and Steel Framed Systems (SFS) and timber battens.)
• How to identify appropriate equipment and resources to install and finish drylining and plasterboard linings.
• The different methods of installation and removal used in drylining for the various manufacturers eg British Gypsum, Knauf and Siniat.
• The different levels of performance required for drylining and what is required to achieve specified acoustic and fire performance and protection.
• The different types of drylining systems eg twin walls, staggered studs, service shaft partitions, curved walls, and walls over three metres.
• How to fix deflection heads.
• The different methods to install plasterboard linings.
• How to ensure that the existing substrate is suitable for the component being installed and that an appropriate fixing regime is used.

A Dry Liner will be able to: 

• Measure and set out from drawings provided and check vertical and horizontal datum.
• Select the appropriate materials, tools and equipment in accordance with the specification requirements and/or manufacturer specific instructions.
• Safely and correctly operate tools and equipment, plant and machinery appropriate for use. (eg scaffold, MEWPS, nail gun, circular saw, lasers.)
• Apply fire and acoustic mastic seals in accordance with specification, designs details and manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Accurately measure and cut components (eg metal sections, plasterboard, insulation, timber and plywood).
• Appropriately fix all components according to specifications and/or drawings.
• Effectively protect surround surfaces and segregate work areas and cutting areas.
• Install dry lining systems to metal and stud partitions, framed wall linings, framed and frameless beam and column encasements.
• Clearly communicate with management, customers and colleagues including other trades onsite.
• Maintain a clean and tidy environment, appropriately disposing of waste according to site procedures.
• Identify and select appropriate PPE for the task.
• Install pattresses.
• Install insulation.
• Form service penetrations through partitions.
• Install primary channels or main runners to line and level, cutting to length.
• Frame and fit access panels.
• Install drylining and plasterboard linings eg panels, plasterboards, metal sections, timber battens, wallboards, thermal boards, glass reinforced gypsum board, fixings and fittings.
• Select the appropriate materials, tools and equipment for installing drylining and plasterboard linings.
• Install and remove drylining systems according to manufacturers’ guidelines eg British Gypsum, Knauf and Siniat.
• Form openings and junctions in accordance with drawing specifications.
• Carry out repairs to dry lining and plasterboard walls and ceilings in accordance with design details, specification and manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Form and fix standard deflection heads in accordance with manufacturers’ standard details.
• Accurately measure and cut components.
• Appropriately fix all components according to specification/drawings.
• Install different types of drylining systems eg twin walls, staggered studs, service shaft partitions, curved walls and walls over three metres high.

Behaviour required:

• Safety first approach.
• An attention to detail.
• Be able to work with others applying the principles of equality and diversity.
• Focus on timekeeping and productivity.
• Ability to work alone taking responsibility for completing of designated work in agreed schedule.
• Working towards high quality of all work completed with an understanding of impact of defects.

The delivery of this apprenticeship standard is on a day-release mode. Apprentices are released to the College one day a week throughout an academic calendar year

Work-based portfolio sessions and End Point Assessment sessions are planned throughout the apprenticeship.

Functional Skills sessions would be additional to any structured timetable as needed. 

Employer mentoring occurs in the workplace with the support and guidance of an assessor. 

You need safety boots and personal protective equipment, safety gloves and overalls, which should be supplied by your employer. 

You will be visited by your allocated assessor at your place of work and discussions with your employer will form supportive evidence of your training achievements as you work towards the gateway for completion.

You will then be assessed at the end of the training programme by completing an End Point Assessment. This will assess how you can apply the skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired in your apprenticeship through the following three assessments carried out after you have completed the 24-month duration of on-programme learning: 

• Knowledge test – assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). This test will consist of multiple-choice questions on a computer-based platform.
• Skills test – assessed over ten hours by an Independent End Point Assessor. This assessment will assess skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired throughout the apprenticeship.
• Oral questioning – assessed by an Independent End Point Assessor following the skills test, to confirm your understanding and to obtain further evidence of knowledge.

Apprentices must complete, or have previously completed, recognised English and Mathematics Level 1 qualifications and should aspire to achieve English and Mathematics Level 2 qualifications during the apprenticeship.

Completing this apprenticeship standard will pave the way to employment and typical job titles include Drylining Fixer, Interior Systems Operative, and Operable Partitioner Installer.

You can also progress to supervisory, management or professional and technical courses and qualifications.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk

There is no cost to the apprentice for an apprenticeship. If you are a smaller employer, you are eligible for government funding which will pay between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs. If you are a large employer, you can use your levy to pay for your apprenticeship training.