Bricklaying is one of the construction industry’s oldest and most essential skill sets, a sentiment that is unlikely to change anytime in the near future.
For anyone weighing up a career in bricklaying, below we’ve detailed the general progression from moving from complete beginner to working on site.
What sort of person is a career in bricklaying suited to?
Unsurprisingly, a career in bricklaying is best suited to someone who enjoys a lot of physical work in their day-to-day life. Other familiar trade skills such as high attention to detail, being organised and good people skills are also extremely valuable.
It’s also worth remembering that much of the work bricklayers carry out will be outdoors, so you should be prepared to face the elements on a regular basis.
What first steps can you take toward building a bricklaying career?
There are a variety of routes on offer for those looking to take their first steps towards a career in bricklaying, including apprenticeships, college courses and dedicated training centres.
Taking an introductory bricklaying course with an accredited training provider is not just a great way to get a taste of the profession, and to get an idea of whether or not the industry might be right for you, but it is also the most efficient entry route.
Throughout a 5-day intensive course, you’ll learn the sector’s core skills and open up the possibility of moving onto more advanced training.
What are the next steps?
Should you decide the career path is right for you, then you’ll want to move on to further training and obtaining your formal qualifications.
A common progression is to move onto an NVQ level 2 bricklaying course. Upon the completion of this 8-week block of learning, which combines both theory and practical workshops, candidates will be fully prepared to complete their Level 2 NVQ assessment and for building site employment, covering everything needed to obtain a CSCS card.
What qualifications do bricklayers need?
There are no set entry requirements to become a bricklayer, however, for those who are new to the industry, completing your training with a reputable and accredited provider is not just crucial to developing your skills and health and safety knowledge, but can help you stand out to potential employers. Likewise, obtaining formal qualifications such as an NVQ is evidence that you have trained to a high standard.
For bricklayers who plan to work on a construction site, holding a CSCS card has now become a mandatory requirement on nearly all UK construction sites. The level of CSCS card you’ll need will depend on the roles and responsibilities you expect to carry out.
You can find more information about all of our bricklaying courses here. If you need any more guidance, feel free to pop into our training centre, or give us a call on 01322 280 202 and one of our team will be happy to help.