Bricklaying : 

• Lay bricks and blocks according to design plans, maintaining accuracy and alignment

• Prepare mortar mixes and spread them evenly to ensure solid and durable brickwork

• Assist in constructing and repairing masonry structures, using specialised tools and equipment

• Maintain a clean and organised work area, including cleaning tools and storing equipment properly

Plastering : 

• Clear work areas and remove rubbish

• Apply layers of plaster onto walls, floors and ceilings

• Work with commercial and domestic customers, other trades, architects and site managers

• Work on a range of different size projects from small scale domestic to big commercial developments

• Dry lining

• Preparing the work space

• Health and Safety rules to follow

• Carry in materials to job - Plasterboards, Plaster Bags

• Relevant preparation work

• Under supervision, undertake all work as directed

• Maintain, clean and store tools, equipment and vans

• Follow company policies, attend mandatory training for your apprenticeship with Redcar and Cleveland College

• Carry out any duty as reasonably requested

College

For Bricklaying:

Some colleges offer part-time, short courses in bricklaying which could be a good way to find out if this job is for you, especially if you have no experience or are thinking of changing career.

B& FC offer coures in this area:

https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/course/cb1fe166

For Plastering :

You can do a college course that will teach you some of the skills needed for the job. Courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Construction Skills Plastering

• Level 2 Diploma in Plastering

• Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering

• T Level in On Site Construction

https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/course/cb1fe167

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Use the find apprenticeship service or other apprenticeship search sites to look for current opportunities : 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/bricklayer-or-plasterer

https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/course/cn00006

https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/529/providers?location=Blackpool,%20Lancashire

Work

If you can get a job as a construction site labourer, your employer may provide training so you can become qualified.

You could work locally to where you live or choose to travel. Building projects including new housing developments, happen all over the country and almost always require bricklayers and plasterers.

Bricklayers will mainly work on outdoor construction sites, sometimes high up (it helps to have a head for heights!). Plasterers will mainly work indoors in homes, business premises and on construction sites.

Once you’ve trained as a bricklayer, you could progress to a role as a site supervisor or foreman and earn a higher salary. There are also senior roles as construction managers, or you could start your own business and work as a self-employed subcontractor.

You could specialise in one area of bricklaying such as estimating, training, heritage restoration, or stonemasonry. With a Personal Track Safety (PTS) Card you could work on or near a railway line.