Bricklayer
Bricklayers skillfully lay bricks and other masonry materials, constructing walls, buildings and structures with precision and expertise in accordance with architectural plans.
Day-to-day tasks
- measure work areas and start the first rows of bricks or blocks: figure out how much space is needed and begin the foundation
- mix mortar by hand or with a machine: prepare the material for holding bricks together
- use a trowel to lay bricks and mortar: put bricks in place and add mortar to make them stick
- shape and trim bricks using tools: use hammers, chisels, and power tools to make bricks fit perfectly
- check that rows are straight: make sure the layers of bricks are even and level using special tools like a spirit level, laser level, or plumb line
Skills and Knowledge
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with your hands
- physical skills like strength, balance and coordination
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Industry Qualifications
If you want to be a bricklayer, you can either start by taking a course at the college in bricklaying or working on the job. Courses can be found at UCM