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Careers

Bricklayer

Lays brick, hollow tile and concrete blocks for buildings or other structures

Who Am I?

Do you like working with your hands? Could you work with precision tools? Do you have an eye for line, colour and proportion? Then Bricklayer could be the job for you!

What do I do?

Bricklayers interpret drawings and blueprints and work on commercial and residential projects. You work with materials like brick, block stone, concrete blocks, glass block or terra cotta to build interior and exterior walls, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, smokestacks and other structures.

How do I start?

You can get a jump-start on your future career in the construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools. These hands-on courses are designed to help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry. While you're still in high school, you can begin an apprenticeship program in the Bricklayer trade as a Senior Years Apprentice and earn both high school and apprenticeship credits at the same time. After high school graduation, many Senior Years apprentices continue in regular, full-time apprenticeship programs. To enter the Bricklayer apprenticeship program fulltime, you must be at least 16 years old. You should have completed Senior 4 or have an equivalent academic standing. As a Bricklayer, you will need to know the properties of various mortars and other bonding materials, and how to handle different types of masonry units. Because the work demands precision and technical skills, courses in Math and Science are helpful.

Length of Program

4 levels, including three in-school sessions.

How does apprenticeship training work?

You must have a qualified employer who is willing to train you as an apprentice. To register in the apprenticeship program, you and your employer complete an application form together and submit it to the Apprenticeship Branch. Once the application is approved, apprenticeship training begins under the supervision of a certified journeyperson.

The apprenticeship consists of four levels. You need to complete three levels of both on-the-job practical experience and some in-school technical training. (Work hours and school time must total at least 1200 hours per level.) The last level is devoted entirely to gaining on-the-job experience. If you have successfully completed related courses of study or work experience you may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program. The Apprenticeship Branch arranges your classroom technical training. When you go to school, you pay a small portion of the tuition and are responsible for the cost of any required books and supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) when they go to school.

When you successfully complete all levels of training, and score at least 70 per cent on your final examination, you receive a Certificate of Qualification confirming your status as a certified journeyperson. The "Red Seal" endorsement on your certificate means that your trade qualifications are generally recognized throughout most of Canada.

For more detailed information on apprenticeship training in this trade, check the Apprenticeship web site at : http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aet/apprent/index.htm

How much do I make?

Wage Rate: $31.00 (Base rate, effective Jan. 1, 2010, not including benefits).

Employers provide holiday and vacation pay and may also offer other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. The value of the benefits can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate. Bricklayers work five-day, 40-hour workweeks. Occasionally you might work overtime to meet construction schedules.

Where do I go from here?

Skilled Bricklayers are able to get work that pays well. Bricklayers work on commercial, institutional and residential construction projects.

How do I Learn?

How do I advance?

Bricklayers often advance to estimator, inspector or foreman positions. Related fields include Tilesetter, Lather, Plasterer and Concrete Finisher. You could also take on small jobs like patios and fireplaces. Either way, you are in a job that commands respect as well as good pay.