The route, drawn out
DWG 6EC7 · 5 stops · 1.5 years to qualify-
Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
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Year 2 Training continues, pay rises min. £21.2k+
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1.5 years Fully qualified around £27k
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+3–5 years Experienced up to £40k
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Then Your own business you set the rate
The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.
What the job is
Fenestration installers replace and fit windows, doors, conservatories and glazed screens. The work combines careful surveying, clean removal of old units, accurate fitting, sealing and making good — and it usually happens in someone's home, so customer manner matters.
Energy efficiency upgrades and building safety work have kept demand strong, and experienced installers often move into surveying or run their own installation teams.
A typical day
- Survey openings and measure accurately for manufacture
- Remove existing frames without damaging the structure
- Fit, level, fix and seal new frames and glazed units
- Adjust hinges, locks and hardware to work smoothly
- Make good internally and externally, and leave a clean job
How you get in
- No formal qualifications required for most level 2 apprenticeships
- A driving licence is usually essential
- Good customer manner — you are working in people's homes
- CSCS card for commercial site work
Where it leads
- Advanced installer covering curtain walling and commercial glazing
- Surveyor for a fenestration company
- Fire door inspection and installation qualifications
- Self-employed installer or your own installation firm
Where to train for this
9 colleges and training providers on our list cover Window & Door (Fenestration) Installer training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.