In the UK, being a bricklayer is one of the most sought-after jobs in construction. By offering competitive pay and opportunities, the demand for this job is at a sky-high. With many branches of specialisation, you can always find something that will fill a niche in your area. Whether with is in stonemasonry or restoration bricklaying, you can choose based on your interest.
One popular career path in construction is as a bricklayer, which is a specialised type of masonry worker. As this job needs specialised skills and experience to work successfully in the field, there are a few requirements you need to fulfil before applying for the job. In this article, we explore what working in this career is like and consider a list of steps that can help you start your career.
Bricklayer, what is the meaning?
A bricklayer is a tradesperson who lays bricks, stones, or concrete blocks to construct brickwork. They are the ones who build walls, partitions, chimneys, and other structures according to plans and specifications. They are the ones making sure that the correct process is followed regarding bricklaying. Their job involves mixing and applying mortar to bond units securely and ensure structural integrity.
Many bricklayers work in residential construction and lay bricks for houses, fireplaces, patios and chimneys. However, they can also work in commercial construction and build foundations for office buildings, walkways, walls and storefronts. Working in this field can involve physically demanding labour, so most of them prioritise physical fitness as part of their training.
In the UK, a bricklayer is colloquially known as a “brickie”. This job is one of the oldest professions in the world, as it dates back thousands of years. Brickmaking has been seen all the way back in ancient civilisations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. Now, with the housing crisis, this job remains in high demand.
Bricklayer salary
On average and depending on the area, with the latest data new bricklayer can earn £25,214. Meanwhile, this can go up to £30,763 for a more experienced brickie in full-time employment. However, this salary can vary depending on the area you are working in. For example, London reports day rates of £210–£240, versus a UK average of roughly £154 per day for employees.
The other thing to consider is your position, whether you are an employee, sole trader, or company owner. Experienced employees earn approximately £40,000 annually (£19 per hour), and self‑employed sole traders or limited‑company owners can gross between £56,000 and £60,000 per year. Meanwhile, a specialist can be paid up to £100,000.
Skills for a bricklayer
A bricklayer typically needs a strong set of specialised construction skills to perform their job duties effectively. This skill can include physical strength, as much of this job involves moving heavy materials and performing manual labour. Similarly, they should have excellent manual dexterity that can help them position bricks and place them in the correct location.
Another key skill for this job is proficiency in construction tools and software. This is because they might need to use it to navigate a construction site and lay bricks or other heavy materials. However, you can learn these skills on the job when you are an apprentice. Although having these skills before starting might give you a head start, here are a few more skills that a brickie might benefit from having:
- Mathematical abilities
- Knowledge of safety regulations
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Adaptability
Career path and progression
Once you have 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 to 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.
With experience and NVQ Level 3 certification, you can progress to roles as fully qualified bricklayers, earning higher pay and taking on more complex projects. Further progression includes advancing to site supervisor or foreman roles, construction manager positions, or specialising in heritage restoration. Thus, there is the option of working for yourself, giving you greater control over your hours and earning potential.
Bricklayer how to become?
To become a bricklayer in the UK, most people need to complete GCSES in English and maths before entering a trades school for their technical certificates or intermediate apprenticeships. All of this combines on-site training with classroom instruction. These programmes often require four GCSES at grades 9 - 4 (A* - C) or equivalent. In addition, you need to have a Level 2 NVQ in Bricklaying as well. In that course, they will be teaching essential skills like mortar mixing and reading site plans.
After getting their certifications and cards. Trainees progress to fully qualified roles, where they develop advanced techniques such as radial and decorative brickwork. However, that is not all. In this part, we are going to go through step by step on how to become a proper bricklayer. Here are the steps with a detailed explanation.
Finish high school
First, you need to finish high school to get your diploma or a GED equivalent. While most of the training with bricklaying will come in the job or an apprenticeship, having a diploma will highlight your work ethic, commitment and dedication to reaching goals. All of this will help you take that first step to enter this career. A diploma or GED can also be used to verify your age, which can be beneficial, as most employers require candidates to be at least 18 years old to begin training.
Complete an apprenticeship
Secondly, you need to apply for an apprenticeship with an established professional who works as a bricklayer. In an apprenticeship, candidates can learn about techniques for bricklaying, best practices in the industry and how to use different types of equipment. An apprenticeship can also help candidates develop their skills in construction and their abilities to complete the job.
Consider obtaining certification
Most people can find a job right after finishing an apprenticeship. However, having a certification will be able to boost your standing and give you more expertise and dedication to this career. There are many basic certificates available for brick workers and masonry workers in construction, so you can search online to find the certification that might be ideal for you.
Apply for jobs as a bricklayer
Finally, you need to find a job opening in this line of work and apply there. One option is reaching out to the company you completed your bricklayer apprenticeship with, if there's any job opening there. This is a good way, as they have seen you work, and you have already established a relationship with them.
You can also research other construction companies in your area to determine whether there are any openings that you might be a great fit for. Another method for finding job listings is to use an internet search engine or job website to search whether there are openings in your area.
Conclusion
In summary, pursuing a career as a bricklayer in the UK combines structured training, experience, and dedication. Through GCSEs, apprenticeships, NVQs, and CSCS cards, you develop crucial skills in mortar mixing, blueprint reading, and other advanced techniques. As you develop expertise, opportunities arise in supervisory roles, specialised fields like heritage restoration, or self-employment. With perseverance and continuous learning, bricklaying offers a fulfilling profession.
To learn more about construction, the College of Contract Management provides several learning resources in CPD, diploma, and master's programmes. It also offers a top-up course to enhance your expertise. This is because the learning topics are varied from business management, professional development and more. Therefore, everyone from all backgrounds can join and learn from us. What are you waiting for? Sign up to join the class now!
