How to Become a Bricklayer

Bricklayers are craft workers who build walls, fireplaces and other structures that are made of brick. Their job can involve building new structures or performing maintenance on existing structures. They use tools such as trowels and hammers to complete their task. Most bricklayers complete an apprenticeship, during which time they are considered to be helpers known as hod carriers, who often perform the heavy labor such as mixing mortar and lugging equipment and materials.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. While this is sometimes not required, it will give you a competitive advantage over job candidates who have not graduated from high school.

2. Complete a three-year apprenticeship program. A qualified program should combine on-the-job training with a minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Apprenticeship programs can be found by contacting the Brick Industry Association at www.bia.org.

3. Develop the necessary basic skills during your apprenticeship to become a craft worker. These include building scaffolding, building walls and partitions, and learning to lay, point and spread blocks and bricks. In the classroom, you should learn how to properly measure and how to read blueprints.

4. Upon completing the apprenticeship, you will be considered a skilled craft worker, and you will typically continue employment with the company with which you apprenticed.

Tips & Warnings

• If unable to complete an apprenticeship, obtaining employment with a construction company can be substituted, though it normally takes longer to become a craft worker in this manner.

References

• Bricklayer Careers

Resources

• Brick Industry Association