Glass and glazing workers generally work in a support or assistant capacity or in production roles. They will generally work under supervision. Glass and glazing workers cut, shape and install glass used in windows, including shopfronts, doors, walls, mirrors, display cabinets and furniture.
Glass and glazing tradespeople will usually work more autonomously.
Glass and glazing workers and tradespeople may perform the following tasks…
interpret drawings and plans or measure the space to estimate the amount of glass needed
lay sheets of glass onto glass cutting tables and score (mark) the surface of the glass using a variety of glasscutters
remove excess glass with notched tools or glass pliers
cut, drill and notch holes in glass with diamond-tipped cutters and drills
remove broken glass and mirrors and prepare surfaces for re-glazing
smooth and polish edges on a grinding or bevelling wheel
fit the glass using putty, chemical compounds or rubber strips into timber, steel and aluminium frames
assemble and secure parts of pre-made glass units, such as shop fittings, display cases and shower enclosures
install metal window and door frames into which glass panels are fitted, such as for shower screens and sliding doors
fabricate aluminium for domestic and commercial applications, and fit and install on site
make decorative edges on glass and mirrors
The work falls into three areas
cutting the glass
bevelling or smoothing edges
fitting or glazing into prepared openings
Glass and glazing tradespeople (not workers) may specialise as…
Flat Glass Tradesperson who measures, cuts, finishes, fits and installs glass in windows, doors, walls, mirrors, display cabinets and other furniture
Furniture-Millworking Tradesperson who installs glass during assembly in prefabricated wood and metal products such as doors, window sashes, partitions and cabinets
Glass Beveller who applies decorative or protective-edge treatment to glass. They bevel (smooth) edges of mirrors or other flat glass items using grinding wheels or abrasive belts. Other treatment may include drilling holes, end-notching, cut outs and finger slots
Glass Cutter who cuts glass sheets by hand or machine to obtain sections of pre-described dimensions, either square or shaped, and removes blemishes
Glass Embosser who engraves designs in glass by using acid, by grinding or sandblasting. After the design has been made, the operator removes the residue, protective tapes and coatings, and cleans the glass
Glass Silverer who selects the polish and scrubs glass for mirror making. A silvering solution is then sprayed over the surface and allowed to drain off. The mirrors are then washed, dried and coated to protect the silvering from moisture
Glazier-Structural Glass Tradesperson who installs glass into prepared openings such as windows, doors, skylights and display units, or fits glass to prepared surfaces such as interior walls. This can be done in a factory environment if fitting glass into prefabricated products, or on site in the case of new construction or repair
Leadlight Worker who designs and constructs stained-glass windows, doors, partitions and decorative works of art in a variety of buildings. The glass is fitted together with strips of lead, using putty to hold the glass
Personal Requirements
You should
enjoy practical work
have steady hands for precise work
be able to work at heights
be able to calculate and measure accurately.
Environment
Many glass and glazing workers and tradespersons are employed by building and hardware and material suppliers, glass merchants, glaziers and glass processors. Some are self-employed and work mainly on small or domestic jobs (due to the high capital cost of equipment for commercial jobs). Business success in glass and glazing, like all enterprises, depends as much on sales skills and customer service as on craft skills, and therefore some business skills training might be of benefit. There can also be considerable costs involved.
Training
You can sometimes work as a glass and glazing worker without undertaking any formal training or qualifications however some employers will prefer that you do. To work as a glass and glazing worker you will usually require a Certificate II in Glass and Glazing.
With experience, and possibly some further training, upholstery process workers can become a glass and glazing tradesperson . This will usually require a Certificate III in Glass and Glazing.
Of course you can work at even higher levels within this occupation and sector, and with further training and experience you can continue to progress along a career pathway that could see you move into occupations such as design or production supervisor ( Certificate IV in Furnishing Technology or a Diploma of Furnishing Technology ) and even end up in a senior management position.
For detailed information about earnings, job and employment prospects for this occupation, go to the Australian JobSearch Careers page and click on Job Outlook .
Printed Resources
The INFOSHEET PDFs provide information about the Manufacturing Industry and its various sectors and occupations. To view and print these documents click RESOURCES (you will need to have Adobe Reader ® installed).
Where Can I Go From This Job?
To find out more about potential Manufacturing career possibilities click PATHWAYS.
