How to become a bricklayer
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These related trades are perfect for those who are great with their hands, don’t mind physical work outdoors and who love to stand back and proudly think: “I built that”...
虽然这两项工作的相似之处在于它们都是建筑的“硬”端，但根本的区别在于它们使用的材料。砖匠——顾名思义——专注于砌砖，而石匠则切割、准备和铺设石头。这两种行业都需要良好的建筑知识和对细节的敏锐观察力。
A day in the life of a bricklayer
As a bricklayer, you’ll spend most of your time laying bricks to form structures including walls, chimneys and fireplaces. They spend a lot of time working outdoors in all weathers and are often required to work at height, so need to be comfortable with scaffolding.
It’s physically demanding work, whether you’re moving bricks or mixing mortar. You’ll most likely spend time working with others as part of a team and you’ll use various hand tools such as trowels, hammers and chisels as well as power tools such as grinders and mixers for cement and mortar.
As a stone mason, the basic nature of the work is similar but you’ll spend more time cutting and preparing natural materials like granite and quartz which don’t come premade in a uniform shape like bricks. Stone masons sometimes work on older buildings which require specialist restoration; that means you might work with architects, historians and conservationists.
由于切割和塑造石头的工作量很大，这可能是一项布满灰尘的工作，而且你还要花时间在车间里，这意味着在准备你要带到工地上的材料时，口罩等防护设备是必不可少的。
Bricklaying training and experience
There are several routes to becoming a bricklayer or stonemason, fromon the job trainingtocollege coursesandapprenticeships.
For a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills you need 1 or 2 GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G) or equivalent, while a Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying requires two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D). Some colleges also offer part-time courses.
Apprenticeships with a construction firm are open to anyone over the age of 16 and you’d work a minimum 30 hour week split between on-the-job experience and college training. For an intermediate apprenticeship, you’ll need some GCSEs including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. If you can get a job as a construction site labourer your employer may provide training so you can become qualified.
Stonemasonary training and experience
For stonemasonry, a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills or a Level 2 Diploma in Stonemasonry for which you’ll need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) or equivalent are good foundations.
As with bricklaying, an apprenticeship is a good way in; an advanced apprenticeship in stonemasonry heritage skills takes around 30 months to complete and for that you’d need 5 GCSEs (including English and maths) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.
If you have some experience as a bricklayer you may be able to find work assisting a stonemason and then do on-the-job training to gain a qualification in stonemasonry.
Bricklayer salaries
Newly trained practitioners can expect £17,000 - £20,000 while trained and experienced bricklayers can earn £20,000 - £30,000. Master bricklayers can easily earn £40,000 plus, and if running a team, the sky’s the limit. Salaries typically depend on where in the country you’re working, your employer and any overtime you’re able to get.
Stonemason salaries
Newly trained stonemasons can earn £19,000 - £25,000, while more experienced stonemasons can earn £25,000 - £35,000. Senior stonemasons with particular experience can earn much higher salaries, especially if they are self-employed.
