Careers in bricklaying are for practical people who can work quickly and repetitively, often high above the ground. It can be very creative work, as stonemasons and bricklayers are often called upon to produce interesting and decorative effects.
Bricklayers - or Brickies as they're generally known - work with many different materials, and use a variety of specialist tools to spread and joint mortar and cut bricks or blocks to size.
Are you suited to a career as a bricklayer?
A love of the great outdoors is essential, and you'll also need a good head for heights! Bricklaying can be pretty hard work, so you'll need to be fit, as well as careful, accurate and be able to follow instructions from architects.
Entry requirements and training for bricklayers
There are no set entry requirements to train as a bricklayer, although GCSEs / Standard Grades in Maths, English and Technology may be helpful for the calculations and measurements.
Most bricklayers start off with an apprenticeship, which enables you to earn while you learn. Entry to an apprenticeship scheme will usually involve a selection test. Many colleges offer courses in bricklaying, awarding you with an NVQ / SVQ upon completion.
Prospects for bricklayers
Choose a career in bricklaying and you will always be in demand. If you gain enough experience as a bricklayer, you'll be in a very good position to start up your own business. There is also a good grounding for progression into technical, supervisory and managerial roles. You should get the opportunity to travel around, and sometimes work overseas.
Pay for bricklayers
Wages are set by the Construction Industry Joint Council. The latest rates can be viewed on the UCATT website. The current weekly craft rate is £379.08, based on a 39-hour week. The basic wage can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer. Technical, supervisory and managerial roles pay better still.
Case study: Ashley Payne, age 19, NVQ 3 in bricklaying.
Related links
Further advice on construction careers from BConstructive.
NVQs explained.
Comments (16)
Hi there. I would love to have a career in bricklaying, I live in the South of England and was wondering if you coud help with an apprenticeship, etc?
Thanks, Daniel.
By daniel | September 25, 2007 10:03 AM
Posted on September 25, 2007 10:03
I would love to be a bricklayer amd live in Sheffield can i have some imformation please.
By jack rothwell | October 1, 2007 11:01 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 11:01
Hi, been at college for two years studying brickwork, would love to get on site as i been trying for a year now...
Josh
By Josh | October 1, 2007 11:18 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 11:18
I want to be a bricklayer when i leave school but i dont know what college or sixth form to go to get the best qualifacations for the job i want to do. Can you help me????
By ricky arnold | October 3, 2007 12:05 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:05
I've just finished college training 2 be a bricklayer but everyone wants 2 years experience after finishing so how I am going 2 get a chance 2 work?
By allen | October 5, 2007 5:23 PM
Posted on October 5, 2007 17:23
Hi, I'm looking for an apprenticeship in bricklaying, well earning at the same time. I I live in East Yorkshire, if you could email telling me more about how to get on to this course above that would be much appreciated.
Regards
Jase
By Jasse | October 6, 2007 2:53 PM
Posted on October 6, 2007 14:53
I'm 19 years old, but I've been bricklaying for two yrs with my dad building large houses. I've worked in the building market since i was 12 yrs, it's a family buisness, but i would like to branch out on my own. But I have no qualifications in brickwork to enter building sites.
By adrian piling | October 11, 2007 7:36 AM
Posted on October 11, 2007 07:36
ere am from up boro n a wanna no abwt aprenticeships n tht
By Fanny Cadeo | October 11, 2007 12:16 PM
Posted on October 11, 2007 12:16
Hi there. I would love to become a bricklayer. I am currently doing a six month course and would love to carry on in this trade.
Thanks, Alisdair
By alisdair hannah | October 11, 2007 1:43 PM
Posted on October 11, 2007 13:43
I'm 41 year old and stuck in a dilema. I work as a Service Technician for a large plant hire company but i'm based near central London.
Since the beginning of this year i've been indecisive on what to study or do a course in whether it's Plumbing, Electrical Installations, Tiling or becoming a Brickie.
The job i do know is poorly paid, i earn just £16,500.00 a year. I understand learning any skill takes time and an employer would want a younger fella not an old codger like me, saying that i've heard that people even in their late 40's to 50's have done fast track courses in Plumbing or Electrics and are doing well for themselves being self employed.
The most reputable training centre that i know about in the south east is 'Able skills' based in Dartford in Kent, they even offer accommodation and operate 7 days a week. Able Skills cover Plumbing, Electrical, Plastering, Bricklaying, Tiling, Carpentry etc they even do weekend taster courses but the 6-10 week and beyond city & guilds and NVQ courses obviously you're talking £2-5,000.00. They do a 10 day city & guilds accreditation courses in most of the crafts including Plumbing & Bricklaying which you're given a photo portfolio to show potential customers and employers your work - these 10 day courses cost around £850.00, with the Electrical being more expensive.
Trouble is i know we live in cold damp Britain, is Bricklaying seasonal in this country, meaning is there little work between December and March? Does it involve hod carrying or do labourers do that?
Could i start of as a labourer at 41 and would someone take me on? and i can do the 10 day course, because knowledge and experience and speed comes with actually working on site. Do brickies sometimes get indoor work? i suppose they must do for renovations etc.
By Bill Hobson | October 13, 2007 4:08 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 16:08
Hi, I would also really like a career in bricklaying . I live in central scotland was wondering if you could help with an apprenticeship? Any help would be grately appreciated.
Thanks Sean Gallacher
By Sean Gallacher | October 23, 2007 4:04 PM
Posted on October 23, 2007 16:04
Hi,
Thanks for all your comments. Getting into bricklaying isn't easy. An apprenticeship is often the best way in. Check out our guide: http://www.buildersbox.co.uk/blogs/builders-skills/2007/07/building-apprenticeships-what-1.html
There are also lots of jobs for bricklayers on our jobs directory: http://www.buildersbox.co.uk/blogs/builders-skills/2007/07/jobs-in-building-and-construct.html
Good luck, Will.
By Will | November 2, 2007 12:49 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 12:49
Hi Adrian,
If you’ve got experience of bricklaying already, you can get qualified ‘on the job’. Check out our guide: http://www.buildersbox.co.uk/blogs/builders-skills/2007/08/qa-can-i-get-qualified-on-the.html
Cheers, Will.
By Will | November 2, 2007 12:54 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 12:54
Hi Bill,
I'm afraid you're bound to have to work outdoors in damp rainy Britain, and plenty of bricklayers work outside during the winter. There is some indoor work, but it's unlikely you'll only get work indoors.
As to what you should study, why not search our jobs directory, and see where most of the jobs are: http://www.buildersbox.co.uk/blogs/builders-skills/2007/07/jobs-in-building-and-construct.html
Cheers, Will.
By Will | November 2, 2007 12:59 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 12:59
Hello there, I'm 19 from SW london. I've been working 4 a builder for 3 years now and very intrested in bricklaying. I know basic stuff, but i really want a part time bricklaying course. I dont know how to go about it and I have found your web site while searching on the net. I hope you will be able to help me please. Thank you.
By Roberto vanrell | November 3, 2007 8:17 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 20:17
Roberto,
Check out our forum, where there is currently a discussion about how to get into bricklaying: http://www.buildersbox.co.uk/Forum/forums/17.aspx
Cheers, Will.
By Will | November 5, 2007 2:40 PM
Posted on November 5, 2007 14:40