Bricklaying
How to become a Bricklayer
What does a Bricklayer do?
A skilled professional who builds, restores and repairs brickwork structures.
Bricklayers lay bricks, pre-cut stone and concrete blocks in mortar.
They construct, extend and repair domestic and commercial buildings, and other structures such as foundations, walls, chimneys or decorative masonry work.
Bricklaying offers a real sense of achievement.
At the end of a project, you’ll see the results and be able to say, ‘I built that’.
What are useful skills to have?
Hand-eye Co-ordination
Physical Fitness
Communication
Attention to detail
Resilience
What are the Salary Expectations?
Apprentice: Minimum wage
Experienced: Up to £30k
Senior/Master: Up to £40k
Self Employed: Set your own rates
What are the education routes?
Traineeship
Southern Regional College: Brickwork (Wet Trades) Level 2. (Portadown)
South West College: Brickwork Level 1 (Omagh & Enniskillen)
South Eastern Regional College: Bricklaying Level 2 (Newtownards)
Belfast Met: Bricklaying Level 2 (Millfield)
Northern Regional College: Brickwork Level 2 (Ballymena)
North West Regional College: Brickwork Level 2 (Springtown)
Level 2
Southern Regional College: Brickwork (Wet Trades) (Portadown & Greenbank)
South West College: Not currently offered
South Eastern Regional College: Bricklaying (Newtownards)
Belfast Met: Bricklaying (Millfield)
Northern Regional College: Brickwork (Ballymena)
North West Regional College: Brickwork (Springtown)
Level 3
Southern Regional College: Bricklaying (Construction) (Greenbank)
South West College: Brickwork (Omagh)
South Eastern Regional College: Bricklaying (Newtownards)
Belfast Met: Not currently offered
Northern Regional College: Brickwork (Ballymena)
North West Regional College: Not currently offered
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll be able to gain more experience on various projects, as well as the option to specialise in areas such as Heritage Brickwork and Stonemasonry.
If management is for you, you could become a team leader, working your way up to Site Foreman.
With the experience you’ll gain, you could to start your own business, to be your own boss!