Occupation
Bricklayer and stonemason
Bricklayers and stonemasons build and repair walls, facades, chimneys, and structures from brick, block, and stone bedded in mortar. The work is physically demanding and weather-exposed, and it rewards a steady eye, because courses have to stay level and plumb over long runs. Restoration and repointing work on older masonry is a distinct and skilled part of the trade.
Also known as: Bricklayer · Stonemason · Mason · Blocklayer
Occupation content
Part of Skilled trades, maintenance and repair
What the work involves
- Set out wall lines, openings, and course heights from drawings and site datums.
- Mix or specify mortar and lay brick, block, or stone to line, level, and plumb.
- Cut and shape units with saws, splitters, and hand tools to fit corners, reveals, and details.
- Install ties, reinforcement, damp-proof courses, lintels, flashings, and weep holes.
- Point, clean, and finish joints, and repair or repoint deteriorated existing masonry.
- Erect and work safely from scaffolds and access platforms.
How people commonly enter
- A registered bricklaying or masonry apprenticeship with a masonry contractor.
- A college masonry certificate or pre-apprenticeship programme used to enter the trade.
- Entry as a mason's labourer or tender, moving onto the trowel with experience and formal training.
- Specialist heritage or restoration training taken by a working mason moving into conservation work.
Typical training: Apprenticeship
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Pathways: Apprenticeship route
Typical work context
Client sites · Outdoors · Physically active · Team based · Varied work
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Artistic (creative)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Spatial reasoning
- Numerical reasoning
- Mechanical comprehension
- Attention and concentration
- Safety judgment
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Construction and extraction occupations · United States
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- Red Seal Program — Designated Red Seal trades · Canada
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- UK National Careers Service — Explore careers · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair in Canada, not a figure for Bricklayer and stonemason. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Skilled trades, maintenance and repair family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: education pathways
Some roles in Skilled trades, maintenance and repair may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)