Bricklayer

?Job overview
?Bricklayers build walls, laying and cementing together course upon course of bricks.

?They are among the first tradesmen on a building project, building inner and outer walls.

?What do people do in this job?
?After the foundations of the building are ready the bricklayers start to set out the brickwork.

?This involves marking out the walls according to the specifications on the design and planning the arrangement of the bricks - the position of every brick on top of the other.

?Once this has been completed, the bricklayers then start on the first of the walls.

?Spaces for doors, windows etc have to be inserted in the walls and there may be arches to be formed.

?Some walls are solid while others are cavity.

?What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
?There is considerable variety to bricklayers' work and a strong challenge can be presented by the complexity of a building' design.

?Bricklayers should be physically strong and enjoy working with their hands and using tools and equipment.

?They also have to understand the drawings of architects and engineers.

?Although this craft is essentially physical, it offers artistic persons an opportunity to create something lasting and beautiful.

?What qualifications are needed?
?Trade schools give some instruction, but basically this is a trade learnt by experience on the job.