What Does a Bricklayer 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 construction of industrial furnaces, retorts and boilers.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

reading and interpreting drawings and blueprints and working by hand or with hand and power tools
measuring accurately from an established starting point, and using plumb lines and a mason's level as required
knowing the properties of various mortars and other bonding materials and applying the knowledge in different projects
spreading mortar over the base or previous layer, on one end of each brick to be laid, laying bricks in position and removing any excess mortar
using hammers or chisels or masonry saws to cut and fit bricks
lining or relining furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, concretes, plastics or other material
working well independently or with co-workers under deadline to get the job done
experimenting with various materials and methods to solve construction problems

To view the Essential Skills necessary for a Bricklayer, click the following link and scroll down to NOC code 7281: http://srv600.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/esrp/english/general/all_profiles.shtml

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 (TQA). 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

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is working as a Bricklayer for You?

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