Imagine you have a jigsaw puzzle, but instead of tiny pieces, you are putting big, clear windows into a house You are a bit like a superhero who makes sure everyone has lovely, warm, and safe windows to look out of. A window fitter's job is to put in new windows and doors into houses, schools, and other buildings. They need to be very careful to measure everything exactly right so the window fits perfectly, like a glove. They use special tools to take out old windows and then put in the new ones, making sure they are sealed tightly so no rain or wind can get in. They also make sure the windows open and close easily, which is very important for fresh air and safety. It is a job where you get to work with your hands and see the finished result making a big difference to a home.
A new window fitter might start earning around 19,000 to 22,000 pounds a year.
Experienced window fitters in the UK can earn between 25,000 and 35,000 pounds a year, especially if they have special skills or run their own business.
There are many jobs for window fitters all across the UK, as homes and buildings always need new or repaired windows and doors. This means there are regular opportunities to find work.
Imagine making windows sparkly clean so everyone can see outside clearly! You'd have special tools and a bucket of water to make them shine.
A carpenter is like a wood wizard! They can build amazing things from wood, like wooden frames for windows, doors, or even treehouses.
Imagine someone who knows how to make the actual glass that goes into windows! They use special ovens to melt sand and other things to create clear, strong glass.
Start by being super curious about how things are built and fixed. Look at windows in your house and notice how they open and close.
When you're young, the best way to start is by being observant. Pay attention to the windows and doors in your own home or when you visit friends and family. How do they work? What are they made of? Asking 'how does that work?' is a great first step to understanding construction. You can also watch videos of people building things to get an idea of the tools and processes involved.
Learn to use simple tools safely, like a tape measure or a toy screwdriver, with an adult's help. It's like building your own LEGO creations!
With an adult's supervision, you can start to get familiar with basic tools. A tape measure is really important for a window fitter, so practising measuring things around the house is a fantastic start. You could also help with small DIY projects, like putting together flat-pack furniture, to get used to following instructions and using a screwdriver. Always remember to ask for help and put safety first.
Try building things with your hands, like making a den, a model, or helping to fix something at home. It helps you understand how parts fit together.
Any activity that involves putting things together, taking them apart, or fixing them can help. This could be building with LEGO, creating structures with craft sticks, or even helping an adult assemble furniture or repair a broken item. These activities teach you about following instructions, problem-solving, and how different components connect to make a whole. These skills are very important for fitting windows.
Offer to help adults with tasks that involve fixing or building, like putting up a shelf or painting a wall. You'll learn lots!
As you get a bit older, you can take on more responsibility with adult supervision. Helping with household tasks that involve measuring, cutting, or assembling can be incredibly useful. For example, assisting with painting helps you understand preparation and finishing, while putting up a shelf teaches about measuring, levelling, and secure fixing. These practical experiences build a strong foundation for a career in fitting.
It's super important to know how to be safe when working with tools and materials. Always listen to adults and follow rules.
Safety is the most important thing in any hands-on job, especially with glass and tools. Learn about wearing protective gear like gloves and safety glasses, and understand why it's important to use tools correctly and carefully. Knowing about potential hazards and how to avoid them from a young age will make you a much better and safer fitter in the future. You can learn this by reading safety instructions on tools or by listening to adults explain why they do things in a certain way to stay safe.
If you ever get the chance, ask an adult to take you to see a building site from a safe distance. You can see big machines and how people work together.
Seeing real construction work in action can be very exciting and educational. From a safe viewing point, you can observe how different tradespeople work together, how materials are handled, and how safety measures are put in place. It gives you a real-world glimpse into the type of environment a window fitter works in and how their job fits into the bigger picture of building a home or a school.
When you go to secondary school, choosing subjects like Design and Technology (DT) or resistant materials can be really helpful.
In secondary school, Design and Technology (DT) lessons, especially those focusing on resistant materials like wood, metal, or plastics, will teach you practical skills such as measuring accurately, cutting, joining, and finishing. These are exactly the skills a window fitter uses every day. Maths is also important for calculations, and English helps with understanding instructions and communicating with customers.
When you're older, try to find a chance to watch or help a real window fitter. You can learn so much by watching the pros!
Once you're old enough, look for opportunities for work experience. This could be during school holidays or as part of a school programme. Asking local window fitting companies if you can shadow someone for a day or a week is a great way to see what the job is really like. You'll learn about different types of windows, how they're installed, and how to talk to customers, all from real-life experience.
After school, you can do a special course called an apprenticeship where you learn on the job and get paid too!
An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to become a window fitter. You'll work for a company, learning all the practical skills directly from experienced fitters. At the same time, you'll also attend college or a training centre to gain qualifications. This combination of hands-on experience and formal learning is the best path to becoming a skilled and qualified window fitter, ready to install beautiful windows and doors.
A carpenter works with wood to build and fix things like doors, floors, and roofs. They use similar tools and skills for measuring and fitting as a window fitter.
A bricklayer builds walls and structures using bricks and mortar. They often work on the outside of houses, just like window fitters, making sure everything is strong and sturdy.
A plumber puts in and fixes pipes for water and heating in buildings. While different to windows, they are also an important part of making a house work and use tools to fit things carefully.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Window Fitter. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
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Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
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A Window Fitter's primary role is to install windows, which is the core duty of a Glazier. While 'Window fabricator' makes the windows, and other 'fitters' install different items, the Glazier specifically handles the installation of glass and window units.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need to get a job as a trainee with a glazing or window fitting company.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply for a place on a Fenestration Installation Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This can take up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.
You'll usually need:
You could start work as an assistant to a glazier or window fitter and train on the job, working alongside an experienced tradesperson.
Employers will look for someone with good practical skills and a willingness to learn.
You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set entry requirements, though you'll need maths skills to make measurements and work out dimensions. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
Experience in carpentry, joinery or window manufacturing might also be helpful.
You may need to travel to other parts of the country for some jobs, especially on commercial and industrial contracts.
You can find out more about a career as a glazier or window fitter from Go Construct.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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