Stonemasonry & bricklaying
Choose to work with brick or stone and you know your work's going to be around long after you're enjoying your pension! It can be very creative work, as stonemasons and bricklayers are often called upon to produce interesting and decorative effects. The trowel occupations also demand practical people who can work quickly and repetitively, often high above the ground.
Choose A Profession
Bricklayer
Entry requirements
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, measurements and theory.
Apprenticeships are the usual route in and enable you 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.
The benefits
The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council agrees wage rates annually. Pay rates for apprentices in Scotland are set by SBATC. A good basic wage is available and can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer.
The job also offers a good grounding for progression into technical, supervisory and managerial roles, or even to start up your own business.
The Job
Bricklaying is the most recognised construction profession for those who don’t work in the industry. However, what they probably don't realise is just how many different materials bricklayers can work with or the different effects they can create.
Bricklayers also use a variety of specialist tools to spread and joint mortar and cut bricks or blocks to size.
The People
As a bricklayer you'll need a good head for heights and be happy to work outdoors. Bricklaying can also be quite physical, so good fitness is important. You’ll also need to be precise, accurate and be able to follow instructions from architects. As a bricklayer you should get the opportunity to travel around, and sometimes work overseas.
Want to know what it's like being a bricklayer? See what Ashley Payne, Lee McInnes, Majid Bashir, Mark Paterson and Shameen Azmutally have to say.