Concrete Finisher Building & Related Trades Workers
SaveWhat Does a Concrete Finisher Do?
Concrete finishers work with binding agents like cement and concrete. They put up any removable forms and pour concrete into the forms. They then execute one or several actions to finish the concrete: cutting, screeding or levelling, compacting, smoothing, and chamfering to prevent chipping.
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Where Do I Start?
Clean Wood Surface
Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Concrete Finisher
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialClean Wood Surface skill
Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Health And Safety Procedures In Construction skill
Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrevent Damage To Utility Infrastructure skill
Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialReact To Events In Time-critical Environments skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRecognise Signs Of Corrosion skill
Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTransport Construction Supplies skill
Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Measurement Instruments skill
Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Safety Equipment In Construction skill
Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Ergonomically skill
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In A Construction Team skill
Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect Concrete Structures skill
Visually inspect a concrete structure to see if it is structurally sound. Check for different types of cracks, such as those due to reinforcement corrosion, impact damage or high water …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect Supplied Concrete skill
Check the quantity and quality of delivered concrete. Make sure that the concrete will withstand any expected pressures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMix Concrete skill
Use compact concrete mixers or various ad-hoc containers such as wheelbarrows to mix concrete. Prepare the correct quantities of cement, water, aggregate and optional added ingredients, and mix the ingredients …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Concrete Curing Process skill
Monitor the process where the poured concrete cures or sets. Make sure the concrete does not dry too quickly, which may cause cracking. Rehumidify the concrete when called for.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPlace Concrete Forms skill
Set up forms out of wood, plywood, various plastics, or other suitable materials to form concrete into supportive columns or walls. Place sheathing delineating the shape of the planned structure …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPour Concrete skill
Pour concrete into a form from a mixer truck chute, hopper or hose. Pour the correct amount to balance efficiency with the risk of the concrete not setting completely.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRemove Concrete Forms skill
Remove concrete forms after the concrete has cured fully. Recuperate materials if possible, cleaning it and taking the right steps to store it for later reuse.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialScreed Concrete skill
Smooth the surface of freshly poured concrete using a screed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 29 displayed)
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OptionalTypes Of Concrete Forms knowledge
The shapes, construction methods and purposes of different types of concrete forms, including special forms like sliding and climbing formwork. Suitable materials for forms and any products or coatings used …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalTypes Of Concrete Pumps knowledge
The types of machines used to pump liquid concrete such as the boom concrete pumps used for large construction projects or line pumps generally used for small-scale works.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Proofing Membranes skill
Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCalculate Needs For Construction Supplies skill
Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDrive Mobile Heavy Construction Equipment skill
Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFeed Hoppers skill
Feed hoppers with the required materials using various tools such as lifting equipment or shovels.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Safety Procedures When Working At Heights skill
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInspect Construction Supplies skill
Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterpret 2D Plans skill
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterpret 3D Plans skill
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Heavy Construction Equipment In Good Condition skill
Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Records Of Work Progress skill
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Stock Level skill
Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrder Construction Supplies skill
Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProcess Incoming Construction Supplies skill
Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport Defective Manufacturing Materials skill
Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRig Loads skill
Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSet Up Temporary Construction Site Infrastructure skill
Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSort Waste skill
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Sander skill
Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Finish To Concrete skill
Finish concrete using a variety of techniques like polishing and acid staining.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Spray Foam Insulation skill
Spray foam insulation, usually polyurethane, to fill a space.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalGuide Concrete Hose skill
Guide the concrete hose while the pump is operating. Make sure to distribute the concrete efficiently and securely.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Insulation Blocks skill
Install insulation materials shaped into blocks on the outside or inside of a structure. Attach the blocks using an adhesive and a mechanical fixing system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Concrete Mixer Truck skill
Work with concrete mixer trucks. Drive the truck and operate controls. Keep track of time. Take the necessary steps to evacuate the concrete upon arrival at the site, either alone …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Road Roller skill
Operate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Surface Slope skill
Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSet Up Reinforcing Steel skill
Set up reinforcing steel, or rebar, to be used for reinforced concrete construction. Set mats and columns securely in place to prepare for concrete pouring. Use separator blocks called dobies …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTie Reinforcing Steel skill
Tie together bars of reinforced steel or rebar to ensure stability of the structure before concrete is poured. Use metal wire to tie the bars together at every second, third …
Course recommendations coming soon.