JOB PROFILE
What Is a Bricklayer?
IN THIS JOB PROFILE
You Will Learn.
- What a Bricklayer is.
- What the responsibilities of a Bricklayer are.
- What qualifications a Bricklayer needs.
- Average salary of a Bricklayer.
- What skills a Bricklayer needs.
- Who employs a Bricklayer.
- Where the latest Bricklayer jobs are and how to apply for them.
What Is a Bricklayer?
A Bricklayer is a skilled tradesman who specialises in laying bricks and constructing brickwork such as walls, commercial buildings, residential buildings and chimneys.
Bricklaying is related to the craft of masonry which is the art of using stone, clay, brick or concrete to construct buildings and other important structures.
A Bricklayer is responsible for cutting stone and concrete blocks in mortar and is trained to repair and refurbish decorative stonework as well as working with brick.
With no interruptions, adverse weather or other issues, on average, a Bricklayer can lay up to 500 bricks in a day.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Bricklayer?
While working as a Bricklayer, you will be required to:
- Follow instructions on important plans and specifications.
- Safely and securely lay bricks to complete a structure.
- Use damp resistant materials to seal structural foundations.
- Repair and reconstruct brickwork and building blocks.
- Work in a range of weather conditions.
- Use power tools and hand tools to craft brickwork.
- Measure surface areas to build accurate structures.
- Create and construct ornamental brickwork.
- Apply and remove mortar to construct and deconstruct buildings.
- Repair and refurbish walls and chimneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Qualifications Do Bricklayers Need?
There are no set entry requirements to practise as a Bricklayer, however there are a few options for acquiring the knowledge and practical skills required.
In order to train as a Bricklayer, a person will generally need to have obtained GCSE’s in English and Mathematics.
A recognised vocational qualification in construction will then equip an aspiring Bricklayer with the experience desired by most employers.
Completing a Level 2 NVQ in Trowel Occupations (Construction) and a Level 2 Bricklaying Apprenticeship are also popular ways to become a Bricklayer.
An apprenticeship involves an aspiring Bricklayer being employed by a company who will teach them the skills on the job, whilst learning theory with a training provider.
Apprenticeships are available to anybody as long as you are over the age of 16 and willing to work a minimum of 30 hours a week.
What Is the Average Salary of a Bricklayer?
The average salary for a Bricklayer is £32,500 per year but this can vary depending on several factors, such as experience, location, and the type of employer.
In London, Bricklayers earn higher salaries, roughly £37,000 per year.
Additionally, Bricklayers who have specialised skills or work on high-end projects may earn higher salaries than those who do general bricklaying work.
Self-employed Bricklayers may also earn more than those who are employed by a company or contractor.
It's worth noting that the salaries of Bricklayers can also vary depending on the location and demand for bricklaying work in that area.
Who Employs a Bricklayer?
A Bricklayer can be employed in a number of places.
Some Bricklayers choose to be self-employed and will liaise directly with their own clients and customers to complete a job, whether this be constructing a wall for a front garden, building an internal wall in a residential building or completing work on a building site.
Others will work for councils or subcontractors to complete important projects alongside other tradespeople such as Joiners and Electricians.
What Skills Does a Bricklayer Need?
Key skills of a Bricklayer include:
- Physical fitness in order to carry and move heavy materials and equipment.
- Good communication skills to effectively liaise with other tradespeople.
- The ability to follow instructions effectively to build complicated structures.
- Confidence to work with power tools and potentially dangerous equipment.
- Good time keeping skills to manage a busy workload.
- Patience to repair complicated structural failures.
- Maths knowledge to understand technical plans and measurements.
- Health and safety knowledge to ensure regulations are adhered to at all times.
- Ambition to complete builds to a high standard.
- Basic IT skills to use a computer when required.
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