Brickwork Apprentice

About the Role

As an apprentice bricklayer, you will shadow experienced bricklayers/supervisors to get a feel and understanding of the job role. During the first 8 weeks, the supervisor will assess your work and the level you work at. You will start laying bricks once the supervisor feels you are ready.

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Measuring the work area and setting out the first rows of bricks (courses) and the damp course
• Mixing mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer
• Laying the bricks on top of each other and applying the mortar with a trowel
• Shaping and trimming bricks using hammers, chisels, and power tools
• Checking that courses are straight using water or laser spirit levels and plumb lines

Specialist Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Course contents

• Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Read and interpret information from drawings and specifications.
• Estimate and select required resources: For example, the quantity of bricks and blocks, mortar, wall ties, and insulation.
• Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
• Select and use hand tools.
• Maintain and store hand tools.
• Set out brick and block cavity wall to given tolerances, including an opening.
• Construct a stretcher bond brick and block cavity wall with return and opening to given tolerances, including installing a lintel with soldiers, brick and edge sill, closure around opening, insulation, fire stopping, cavity tray, damp proof course (DPC) and weep holes.
• Apply joint finishes: For example, half round, flush, weather struck, and recessed.
• Set out and construct a simple brick solid wall with capping.
• Gauge and hand mix mortar to ratio.
• Measure and cut bricks and blocks using hand tools, to given tolerances.
• Carry out a simple repair: For example, replacing damaged bricks.
• Protect materials and finished work.
• Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
• Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion guidance.
• Applies team working principles to their own and the wider build team.
• Identifies well-being support available to self and others.
• Construct a brick wall with raking cut. For example, gable end wall or garden wall with raking cut.