Bricklayer

You can take a college course like a:

• Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying
• Level 2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations

These courses will teach you some of the skills needed for the job and can help you to find a trainee position with a building company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could start by doing an intermediate bricklaying apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a construction site labourer and take training on the job to become a bricklayer.

Registration

• you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an organisation like the Federation of Master Builders for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a bricklayer from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of maths
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

• measure work areas and set out the first rows of bricks or blocks
• mix mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer
• apply mortar with a trowel and lay bricks on top of each other
• shape and trim bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools
• check that rows are straight using a spirit level and plumb line

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers, at height and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.