Bricklaying is a good place to start if you want to be self-employed and make your own money.
With the UK government announcing the new aspirations for planned growth, there is a shortage of bricklayers in the country. There is a place for you in this industry to earn a decent living.
For those starting in construction, bricklaying is a rewarding career that you can pursue at entry level and get opportunities to grow and level up your skills.
However, if you want to become a bricklayer, there are a number of things you should do.
Here is more you should do to build a career in bricklaying.
Understand what the job entails
The first step to becoming a bricklayer in the UK is to know what the job entails. What a bricklayer does is in the construction of a house or structure.
As a bricklayer, you will be involved in several tasks such as laying courses, mixing mortar, cutting bricks, repairing building blocks, and many others.
What you will be doing in a brick-mortar will vary depending on the industry you join. You will have opportunities to work in residential and commercial construction projects.
How much you earn
How much you will make as a mason or bricklayer depends on many factors, such as the state of the economy, experience level, and the kind of project you handle. The average hourly salary for a bricklayer is £19.08, and the rate can change depending on your experience level.
When working as a bricklayer, it is vital to research the current charges from others in the area before setting your price.
Once you become a bricklayer, you can venture into many opportunities by expanding into a fully-fledged bricklaying firm. You can work as an outsourcing partner for other construction firms to employ other bricklayers. This can be a sustainable business that will pay you some money.
Take a bricklaying course
Most bricklayers learn while at work since the job is mostly practical. However, if you want to be a qualified bricklayer in the UK and work on construction sites, you should take professional bricklaying courses. There are a lot of bricklaying courses that you can enroll in if you want to become a professional bricklayer in the UK.
Some courses will last as little as five days to give you the practical skills you need to become a bricklayer. The courses don’t give you the formal qualification but the essential skills you need at work. You can also do training for working at height and work safety. Also, you need specialist insurance if you are working at height.
Go for apprenticeship
One of the ways you can find your way into the bricklaying job is through apprenticeship. Get an apprenticeship with a construction firm as long as you are above 16.
As an apprentice, you will be employed fully and expected to work for at least 30 hours a week. This time is divided into college training and on-the-job experience expected to last at least two years. You need a GSSE with Mathematics and English or equivalent to qualify for an apprenticeship.
Apply for a job
Once you have gone through the bricklaying course, apprenticeship, and training, you should now apply for a job as a bricklayer. Most construction companies will look at your experience level when employing you as a mason or bricklayer.
Therefore, you should craft a good resume and start applying for a job in your area. Expand your search if you don’t seem to get an opportunity in your area.
Final Thoughts
It takes a lot to become a bricklayer. If you want to build a career in this profession, you should get the right training by pursuing a course in bricklaying. Get the skills and insurance, and apply for a job with a local construction company.
