Bricklayer

Mason, brickie

Bricklayers build houses, repair walls and chimneys, and refurbish decorative stonework. They also work on restoration projects.

Salary Range: £15,000 to £35,000

How to become a bricklayer

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

College

You can take a college course like a:

• Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying
• Level 2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations

These courses will teach you some of the skills needed for the job and can help you to find a trainee position with a building company.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an intermediate bricklaying apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 years to complete. You’ll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could start as a construction site labourer and take training on the job to become a bricklayer.

More information

Registration

• you’ll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an organisation like the Federation of Master Builders for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a bricklayer from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of maths
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

• measuring work areas and setting out the first rows of bricks or blocks
• mixing mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer
• applying mortar with a trowel and laying bricks on top of each other
• shaping and trimming bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools
• checking that rows are straight using a spirit level and plumb line

Working environment

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height, physically demanding and you’ll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a construction site supervisor, or move into related areas like estimating or apprentice training.

You could also specialise in heritage work, stonemasonry, or set up your own business.