Bricklayer

Bricklayers build the interior and exterior walls of buildings. This may involve constructing new buildings or repairing and maintaining existing ones. They use a variety of tools and materials.

Work activities

Bricklaying involves building all types of walling, from plain walls to more detailed work. Bricklayers need to be able to read plans and drawings to find out how the structure is to be built and take account of where corners need to be or where gaps must be left for doors and windows.

A variety of tools are used including trowels for spreading the mortar, club hammers and bolsters to cut bricks, and brick hammers to trim the bricks. The work is mainly outdoors and conditions can be dirty and dusty as well as cold, damp and muddy. Health and safety is an important part of the job, so bricklayers need to wear protective footwear, a safety helmet and, sometimes, safety glasses.

Personal qualities and skills

As a bricklayer, you’ll need:

• To be good with your hands.
• Good teamworking skills as well as the ability to work well on your own.
• To be physically fit, as the work involves bending, stretching and lifting.
• To understand the importance of health and safety in the construction industry.
• The ability to follow written plans and instructions.
• Some number skills.

Many companies will provide transport, but having a driving licence can be useful in this type of work. This job might not be suitable for people who have skin conditions, such as eczema, or breathing complaints, such as asthma.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Bricklayers earn in the range of £17,000 per year, rising to £40,000 with experience.

Bricklayers work a 42-44-hour week. Overtime, including Saturday working, may be available.

Employers are building, construction and civil engineering companies of all sizes. These range from local building firms employing one or two operatives, to nationally known firms employing hundreds of operatives. Opportunities for bricklayers occur on building sites in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for bricklayers to work independently as self-employed sub-contractors.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship is a great route into this job. There are also various relevant qualifications available from organisations like City & Guilds and Edexcel. These courses may be in a more general subject area, such as construction.

If you wish to go into a more specialised and artistic field, you could complete a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship as a craft bricklayer, working on historic and heritage sites.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS): For most building companies, you’ll need a CSCS card to work on site. These cards show that you are qualified to do the work you’ve been employed for.

Apprenticeships will usually involve work- and college-based training. You will also receive training in subjects like health and safety.

In the construction industry, it is possible to work up from craft-level positions to managerial roles, such as construction site manager.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Related skills, for example, gained as a building operative, are useful.

Related careers

• Builder
• Carpenter/joiner
• Construction labourer
• Floor layer
• Glazier
• Painter and decorator
• Plasterer
• Plumber
• Road worker
• Roofer
• Scaffolder
• Site manager
• Stonemason
• Wall and floor tiler