Dry liner
Put up internal walls to divide a room, hide pipes and wiring or improve insulation.
Also known as: ames taper
About the job
What it's like
You would put up internal walls to divide a room, to hide pipes and wiring or to improve insulation.
Your work could also improve a room’s acoustics or smooth out uneven walls during renovation work.
You’d build the internal walls in houses, offices and shops using plasterboard panels. You might also install removable wall partitions, suspended ceilings and raised flooring.
There would be two stages in the work.
At the 'fixing’ stage, you would:
Follow technical diagrams to measure and cut the plasterboard to the right sizes and angles
Fix the panels to timber or metal frames - or ceiling joists - using special studs
Cut panels to fit around doorways
Cut openings for windows
To ‘finish’ the walls you would:
Seal joints with filler or adhesive
Tape over the seal by hand or with a taping machine
Apply a thin layer of plaster over the tape (skimming)
Sand the walls ready for painting and decorating
You’d need to follow building regulations and work safely.
Hours
You would normally work up to 40 hours a week. You may have to work evenings, nights or weekends on commercial contracts, to limit disruption to the client's business.
Environment
The work could be physically demanding, as you would have to lift and move panels into place. You would work from ladders or a small scaffold when fitting a ceiling.
Travel
You would have to travel to each job. You may need a driving licence so you can transport your equipment in a van.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- construction
- drywall (installation and repair)
- risk management
- project management
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- managing resources
- implementing ideas
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Practical Experiences: Construction and Engineering
No formal qualifications are required but many entrants work towards a Modern Apprenticeship leading to relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Interior Systems (Construction): Dry Lining (SVQ Level 2).
Qualifications that demonstrate an understanding of construction and practical skills, such as Skills for Work Construction Engineering (SCQF Level 3) or Construction Crafts (SCQF Level 4/5).
Relevant work-based experience such as dry liners' assistant.
A driving licence can be useful.
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