Bricklayer

Also known as - Brickie.

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’.

Outdoors
Trade-Craft
Secondary qualifications
Sporty-working with hands

What does a bricklayer do?

As a bricklayer, you will be responsible for one of the most important elements of construction within the housing industry. Duties include laying bricks, measuring out areas, and repairing or maintaining existing structures.

The job role of a bricklayer includes the following duties:

Laying bricks
Applying or removing mortar with a trowel
Working accurately from detailed plans and specifications
Sealing foundations with damp-resistant materials
Using spirit levels and plumb lines to check building alignment
Using hand tools, power tools and brick-cutting machines
Constructing arches and ornamental brickwork
Repairing and maintaining building blocks
Measuring out build areas and setting out the first rows of bricks and damp course
Working outdoors on construction sites, in all weathers and at height.

How to become a bricklayer

There are several routes to becoming a bricklayer. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a college course, an apprenticeship or on the job training.

You should explore these routes to find which one is right for you. Although some options will list qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and able to follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

College

Some colleges offer part-time, short courses in bricklaying which could be a good way to find out if this job is for you, especially if you have no experience or are thinking of changing career.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you can get a job as a construction site labourer, your employer may provide training so you can become qualified.

Work experience

To help decide whether this job is for you, further your skills and impress employers, you could gain some work experience.

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a bricklayer include:

Knowledge of building and construction
Be thorough and pay attention to detail
Ability to work well with others
Be flexible and open to change
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Ambition and a desire to succeed
Ability to work well with your hands
Able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Qualifications

England

To become a bricklayer you could:

Work towards a Level 2 NVQ in Trowel Occupations (Construction).
Complete a Level 2 Bricklaying Apprenticeship.

You'll need 2 or more GCSE's at grades 9 to 3 or equivalent.

Scotland

To become a bricklayer you could:

Complete a Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 in Bricklaying.

You'll need 2 or more GCSEs at grades A* to D or equivalent.

Wales

To become a bricklayer you could:

Work towards a Level 2 NVQ in Bricklaying.
Complete a Modern Apprenticeship in Level 3 Bricklaying.

You'll need 2 or more GCSEs at grades A* to D or equivalent.

How much could you earn as a bricklayer?

The expected salary for a bricklayer varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained bricklayers can earn from £24,000
Trained bricklayers with experience can earn up to £56,000*
Self-employed bricklayers set their own pay rates.

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

Once you’ve trained as a bricklayer, you could progress to a role as a site supervisor or foreman and earn a higher salary. There are also senior roles as construction managers, or you could start your own business and work as a self-employed subcontractor.

You could specialise in one area of bricklaying such as estimating, training, heritage restoration, or stonemasonry. With a Personal Track Safety (PTS) Card you could work on or near a railway line.