Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

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Bricklayer Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work outdoors icon that represents where Bricklayer work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Bricklayer. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Bricklayer click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Interior and Exterior Construction

Bricklayer

work outdoors

Bricklayers prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces, and chimneys.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Bricklayers are employed by trade, building, and general contractors. Some bricklayers are self-employed, usually contracting on small jobs such as patios and fireplaces. Bricklayers may experience periods of unemployment during an economic downturn when construction slows down or during cold weather.

    In Alberta, 81% of people employed as bricklayers work in the following industries:

    • Construction.
    • Business, Building, and Other Support Services.
  • DutiesDetails

    Bricklayers:

    • Work with brick, concrete block, stone, structural tile, and precast panels.
    • Lay or install fire brick or castable materials in commercial and industrial furnaces and incinerators.
    • Lay or install acid tile and acid brick in pulp mills.
    • Read drawings and blueprints.
    • Figure out which materials are needed and how much.
    • Measure to figure out starting points.
    • Measure to figure out where corners go.
    • Use a plumb line and mason's level to ensure each layer is level from corner to corner.
    • Spread mortar over layers and new bricks.
    • Lay the bricks into position.
    • Remove extra mortar.
    • Use a hammers, chisels or a masonry saws to cut bricks.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Not usually.
    • Outdoors
      • Construction sites.
      • Work on scaffolding sometimes.
      • Sometimes use protective enclosures.
      • Sometimes use portable heaters.
      • May need to travel to work sites.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:30).
    • May be required to work overtime.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and move up to 25 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Physical strength and stamina.
    • Works well with hands.
    • Works well with heavy tools and materials.
    • Sense of balance.
    • Works well with others.
    • Good sense of colour.
    • Good sense of what materials look good together.
    • Enjoy being creative.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1600 work hours each year.
    • 8 weeks classroom training each year.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Estimator.
    • Inspector.
    • Foreman.
    • Manufacturer service representatives.
    • Self-employed.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 2,100 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect an annual below average growth of 1.9% from 2013 to 2017.
    • Forecast about 40 new positions created each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $22.81 to $31.58 an hour plus benefits (2009 figures). Apprentice bricklayers earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 80 per cent in the second and 90 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Bricklayers occupational group earned on average from $36.62 to $42.15 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $40.21 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails