Follow the Bricklayers line for an even career!

Training to be a bricklayer is a good career move at any time if you want to get into the skilled trade industry. The UK building and construction industry has not been unaffected by the recent severe economic downturn and has experienced a general slowing down or temporary halts in some areas. However, the pace has been slowly returning and the insatiable hunger for welltrained, skilled and qualified tradespeople has never really gone away!AbleSkills offers a number of bricklaying courses, from Weekend training, and 10 day courses right through to City & Guilds 6217 and NVQ level 2. And there's a 2 day EWPA Course for experienced bricklayers to gain a NVQ qualification.As we all know - most buildings are brick built based and whether you need an indoor or outdoor structure built, repaired or decorated, a bricklayer is always needed! Using masonry materials such as bricks, tiles, concrete, mortar, cement or granite blocks, bricklayers can erect a house, wall, chimney, arch or fireplace.Before building starts, a bricklayer has a few things to get sorted. Initially, they will consult with their client or the builder, in order to gain an understanding of their building requirements. Working plans are then drawn up from sketches or architectural drafts will be used. A bricklayer also estimates the amount of materials required and the cost of construction to the client.Once building begins, a bricklayer uses various tools and machinery. A spirit level makes sure that each layer of bricks is even. A bricklayer's line - where a piece of string is run between two points - provides an even line for bricklayers to work to. Other tools such as a bolster or saw are used to cut and shape bricks to the right size. A trowel is used to lift and spread the mortar, which holds the bricks together.There are a number of specialist areas that a bricklayer may enter into. Some of these areas involve repairing existing brickwork with problems, such as crumbling mortar, limestone repair and rising damp. Others may undertake ornamental or decorative brickwork.Bricklaying is physically tiring work and, in many instances, heavy weights will have to be carried. If you are considering this as your occupation, you'll have to have physical strength and a high level of fitness.Basic mathematical skills are useful when estimating the cost and amount of materials required to complete a job. Good hand-eye coordination, with an excellent eye for detail, are necessary to ensure that each layer of bricks is even. If you finish building a brick wall only to discover it's uneven, it's back to the drawing board! Working conditions depend on the type of construction site being worked on, and the nature of each particular contract. Work may be in or outdoors, and in some cases, quite high up on scaffolding. Because of this, and the dangers associated with construction sites in general, a good knowledge of occupational health and safety is critical for bricklayers. It's important for them to keep up to date with new information and requirements, throughout their working lives.