A bricklayer, sometimes called a mason, is a tradesperson specializing in brickwork. Brickwork involves the laying of bricks, blocks, and other types of stone to create structures and buildings.
A career in bricklaying is extremely rewarding, offering good working conditions and the opportunity to work on various interesting projects.
If you’re thinking about bricklaying as a career, you’re probably wondering what qualifications you need to get started. Keep reading to find out.
What Skills You Need For Starting Career Or Work In Bricklaying
City & Guilds Certificate in Construction Skills or equivalent
The first qualification you’ll need is a City & Guilds Certificate in Construction Skills or equivalent. This qualification gives you the basic skills and knowledge required to enter the construction industry, including health and safety, site set-up, and brickwork foundations.
Once you’ve completed this certificate, you’ll be able to apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship in bricklaying.
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Bricklaying
The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying is the main qualification you’ll need to become a fully qualified bricklayer. This qualification is normally completed through an apprenticeship or traineeship and involves on-the-job training and time spent at a college or training center.
You can enroll in NVQ bricklaying courses to polish your bricklaying skills. Taking a bricklaying course will help you need to demonstrate your competence in many bricklaying tasks, including setting work, erecting scaffolding, and laying bricks to a specified pattern.
It will also test your knowledge of relevant health and safety regulations. Once you’ve achieved this qualification, you’ll be able to apply for jobs as a qualified bricklayer.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card
A CSCS card is an essential requirement for anyone who wants to work on a construction site in the UK. The card shows you have the necessary training and qualifications to work safely on a construction site.
To obtain a CSCS card, you must pass the relevant health and safety test and have your qualification certificates verified by a registered training provider.
First Aid at Work Certificate
The First Aid at Work Certificate is another essential qualification for anyone who wants to work on a construction site in the UK.
The certificate shows that you have completed the First Aid at Work Course and are, therefore, qualified to provide first aid in the event of an accident or injury on site.
Driving License
While not strictly a qualification, a driving license is often required for bricklaying jobs as it allows you to easily get to and from sites.
If you don’t have a driving license, you may be able to get around this by finding a job with a company that can provide transport to and from sites.
Many bricklayers use vans to transport tools and materials to and from job sites, so that a van driving license would be beneficial.
NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying
The NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying is the advanced NVQ qualification for bricklayers. This qualification is aimed at those who want to progress to supervisory or management positions within the construction industry.
To achieve the NVQ, you’ll need to demonstrate your competence in various advanced bricklaying tasks, such as setting out work for complex structures, erecting and dismantling scaffolding, and laying bricks to an extremely high standard.
Asbestos Awareness Certification
Asbestos is a hazardous material used extensively in construction until the late 20th century. If you’re working on an older property, there’s a chance that you could come into contact with asbestos.
It’s, therefore, important to have an asbestos awareness certification to know how to safely work with or around asbestos.
You’ll need to complete an asbestos awareness course to get an asbestos awareness certification. This course will teach you about the dangers of asbestos and how to work with or around it safely. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be able to apply for an asbestos awareness certification.
Conclusion
So there you have it—everything you need to know about the qualifications required for a career in bricklaying.
If you’re interested in starting a career in this fulfilling and challenging field, check that you have the right qualifications. And if you’re already working as a bricklayer, keep up the good work and continue to develop your skills.
