bricklayer

The work

Bricklayers build and repair walls, chimney stacks, tunnel linings and decorative stonework like archways. Jobs can range from a house extension to a large commercial development. They also refurbish brickwork and masonry on restoration projects.

On a typical new housing job, bricklayers' tasks include:

• measuring the work area and setting out the first rows (courses) and damp course, following the architect's or designer's plans
• mixing mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer
• working from the corners inwards, building up the courses, laying the bricks on top of each other and applying the mortar with a trowel (for efficiency, bricklaying teams or 'gangs' often employ a labourer to keep up a constant supply of bricks and mortar)
• shaping and trimming bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools
• checking courses are straight with water or laser spirit-levels and plumb lines.

As the walls go up, bricklayers or scaffolders put up platforms to reach the higher storeys. Joiners usually follow closely behind fitting door and window frames in line with the design blueprints.

Bricklaying gangs may work on different sections of a job at the same time, depending on its size. Some bricklayers also specialise in stonemasonry work. See the profile for Stonemason.

Hours and Environment

Bricklayers normally work 39 hours a week, Monday to Friday, although overtime at weekends and evenings is common to meet deadlines.

You work outside in most weather conditions, and spend much of the time standing or kneeling while laying bricks, and carrying heavy loads. The work can be noisy, dirty and wet, and includes working from scaffolding.

You will wear personal protective equipment such as safety helmets and boots, and sometimes gloves, goggles and ear defenders. You travel from site to site and you may have to work away from home for periods of time.

Skills and Interests

To be a bricklayer you need:

• good practical skills
• the ability to read technical drawings and plans
• the ability to methodically and accurately
• an awareness of safety issues, especially when working at heights
• the ability to work as part of a team within the gang and with other tradespeople
• a good level of fitness.

Entry

You do not need any formal qualifications to become a bricklayer, but employers tend to want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, then you could think about working as a labourer to get site experience. Once working, your employer may be willing to offer you training in bricklaying (see Training section below).

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme with a building firm. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you may need some GCSE/S grades in subjects such as maths, English and design and technology, or vocational qualifications such as Edexcel Introductory Certificate or Diploma in Construction, which has bricklaying options.

You can also take college courses in bricklaying, which are open to all age groups. These can teach you some of the skills needed for the job but employers may still want to see some site experience.

The college courses include:

• Edexcel First Diploma in Construction (bricklaying options)
• City & Guilds Basic Skills in Construction award: Bricklaying (6211)
• Intermediate/Advanced Construction Award (Trowel Occupations - Bricklaying).

For more details, check with ConstructionSkills and your local colleges for details.

ConstructionSkills has information on construction careers and qualifications in Further Information; and the Equal Opportunities Commission is promoting the construction trades as a career option for women through its Know Your Place campaign.

Training

Once you are working as a bricklayer, you can take NVQ/SVQ qualifications. You normally work towards NVQ/SVQ in Trowel Occupations levels 1 to 3. This contains units covering:

• setting out work areas
• preparing mortars
• laying bricks and blocks
• building masonry structures.

Contact ConstructionSkills (in Further Information) for more information about work-based qualifications and details of training providers.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
By 2010, workers within the construction sector must hold a CSCS card or register with an affiliated scheme. Many construction firms and their clients already insist that workers hold a relevant card to work on site. To receive a card, you must hold an NVQ/SVQ or acceptable equivalent and pass a health and safety assessment.

Your card will be graded according to your qualifications and experience. If you are an experienced worker without formal qualifications, you can use On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) to get your card.

For details about the CSCS scheme, gradings, equivalent qualifications and applications, contact CSCS or SkillsDirect. See the ConstructionSkills website for more information about the health and safety test, training providers, OSAT and EWPA.

Opportunities

Bricklayers work for building contractors and local authorities, but many are self-employed and work on a sub-contract basis for companies as 'labour only', with the building contractor supplying the materials.

Your prospects as a qualified bricklayer are very good, due to the expansion of urban regeneration programmes, schools and hospitals building programmes and new development projects around the country. The construction industry estimates that it will need about 5,000 new bricklayers every year between now and 2011. 

With experience, you can progress to supervisory jobs, for example site supervisor and clerk of works, or related areas, such as estimating and construction management. You also have the option to work as a bricklaying instructor at a training centre or college.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A bricklaying labourer can earn up to £15,000 a year. 
Qualified bricklayers can earn between £16,000 and £23,000 a year.
Experienced bricklayers, including instructors can earn up to £30,000 a year

Overtime and various allowances can significantly increase income. Self-employed bricklayers negotiate their own rates.

Further information

Tel: 0870 8505262 Tel: 0870 417 8777 Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577

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