What Does a Brick and Stone Mason Do?

Bricklayers prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone and other masonry units to construct, erect and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, paving, fireplaces, smokestacks and chimneys. Their work also encompasses the laying of fire brick and other refractory materials used in the construction of industrial furnaces, retorts and boilers.

 

 

 

Learn about the business case for training apprentices in bricklaying

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • reads and interprets drawings and blueprints and works by hand or with hand and power tools
  • measures accurately from an established starting point and uses plumb lines and a mason's level, as required 
  • knows the properties of various mortars and other bonding materials and applies the knowledge in different projects
  • spreads mortar over the base or previous layer, on one end of each brick to be laid, lays bricks in position and removes any excess mortar
  • uses hammers or chisels or masonry saws to cut and fit bricks
  • lines or relines furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, concretes, plastics or other material
  • works well independently or with co-workers under a deadline to get the job done
  • experiments with various materials and methods to solve construction problems 

To view the Essential Skills necessary for a Bricklayer (NOC code 7281), click:

http://www10.hrsdc.gc.ca/es/English/ShowProfile.aspx?v=2

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

To become a Bricklayer you should preferably complete your secondary school diploma with technical math and drafting courses although Grade 10 is the minimum education required under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act (TQAA). You must successfully complete an apprenticeship of approximately three years as well as the required examinations and hours of employment in order to be awarded a Journeyperson certificate.

What’s Your Future as a Bricklayer?

Bricklayers generally work full-time, often outdoors, sometimes on scaffolding inside protective enclosures. Bricklayers who work on construction projects may work on a project-to-project basis with some down-time. Some Bricklayers work as employees of contractors, or are self-employed as independent contractors. Bricklayers are often members of a construction union and work out of a union hiring hall. Examples of typical employers include: 

  • exterior construction firms
  • residential building developers
  • building construction firms
  • primary steel producers
  • construction contractors

For additional information about this career, check out the Construction Sector Council website at:  www.CareersInConstruction.ca

Wage Rate

  • apprentices usually start at a wage rate less than  that of a journeyperson
  • this rate increases gradually as you gain competency and skill
  • fully qualified Bricklayers can earn anywhere from $17.00/hr to $26.00/hr or more, sometimes with employee benefits and opportunities for overtime

Ask Yourself: Is working as a Bricklayer for You?

Self-Rating

 

Would you enjoy working in a job that requires physical stamina, routine lifting of heavy objects, sometimes outdoors in bad weather ?

Yes      No

Do you have a good eye for detail and colour, and do you enjoy performing tasks requiring precision?

Yes      No

Do you like working with numbers, and are you precise and accurate at it?

Yes      No

Do you enjoy working with your hands, and with tools and other mechanical equipment?

Yes      No

Are you the kind of person who takes great pride in doing a job ‘just right ‘?

Yes      No

Can you work independently or in a group to get a job done on deadline?

Yes      No

 

If you answered yes to most of these questions, a career as a Bricklayer may be for you!

You may want to explore other jobs that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Tilesetter
  • Carpenter
  • Plasterer
  • Concrete Finisher
  • Roofer
  • Industrial Woodworker

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