Introduction
Bricklayers work on the construction and maintenance of
council property. Bricklayers are skilled craftspeople who turn the
plans of engineers and architects into real structures. They build
all types of walls for new buildings, renovations, extensions,
tunnels, archways, drainage systems, and so on.
Work Environment
Bricklayers work inside and outside, in all weathers. The
work is very physical and requires a lot of standing, bending,
kneeling, lifting and carrying. Bricklayers wear hard hats and
boots with steel toe-caps; with extra protective clothing, such as
goggles, gloves and ear defenders forsome jobs. They work at
heights, using ladders and scaffolding; and sometimes, in confined
spaces.
Daily Activities
On smaller projects, bricklayers may be expected to
prepare the site, which involves:
- following plans and measurements to mark out the position of
walls and 'quoins' (corners), using string and pegs;
- preparing foundations by digging trenches and filling them with
crushed stones and concrete.
When building begins, bricklayers:
- working to precise plans, which show - for example, where doors
and windows are, what materials to use, and what 'bonds' (ways of
laying bricks) to use;
- planning their work to ensure that any cuts in brickwork fall
under windows or doors where they are less noticeable;
- selecting appropriate tools for the job, such as club hammers,
brick hammers, chisels and different sized trowels, or power tools,
such as disc cutters;
- selecting the materials they need - bricks, breeze blocks,
patterned blocks, chalk, flint, etc.;
- mixing mortar and spreading it carefully between layers of
bricks;
- constantly checking that all vertical and horizontal lines are
level, using spirit levels and plumblines;
- carrying out decorative work, for example, laying bricks at an
angle with the corners projecting - making one line of bricks stand
out from the rest of the wall or using a different material, such
as chalk, to introduce a pattern.
Skills & Interests
Bricklayers need:
- to be skilled using their hands;
- the ability to work quickly and neatly;
- to be safety conscious;
- basic maths formeasuring accurately and doing straight forward
calculations;
- to work well as part of a team;
- to be able to work without constant supervision.
Entry Requirements
There are no set entry requirements, though some GCSEs
grades or equivalent vocational qualifications may be required for
trainee bricklayers. English, maths and technology are useful
subjects.
Training schemes generally combine on-the-job experience with
part-time attendance at college, forexample through an
Apprenticeship. There may be a selection test forsome training
schemesorApprenticeships. NVQs/SVQs in Bricklaying are
available at levels 2 and 3.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
With experience and further training, bricklayers may be
able to progress to supervisory jobsorroles within construction
management.
Further Information & Services
Apprenticeship information www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Construction Skills www.citb.co.uk
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on
careers in construction: https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-construction/
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/)
or in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.