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What the heck is a Bricklayer?

A bricklayer, sometimes called a mason, is a tradesman who lays bricks to build walls and/or buildings. The term bricklayer also refers to someone who lays cinder or concrete blocks to build walls and buildings. A bricklayer is often called/known as a “brickie”.

The training of a bricklayer in the United States usually begins as an apprentice who works with and learns from a master craftsman (Journeyman) under the influience of an accredited contractor.  After a few years of learning the apprentice is advanced to  journeyman status while earning raises along the way. After a journeyman has proven himself to the Trowel Trades, he may settle down as a master craftsman and work for his current emplorer or start contracting himself and eventually taking on his own apprentices.

The modern process can vary, depending on location Union or non-Union status of the contractor which an apprentice is working with. A tradesman usually still begins as an apprentice, but the apprenticeship is carried out partly through working for a qualified tradesman and partly through an accredited contractor delivering first year, second year or third year bricklayer qualifications to apprentices. After an apprentice bricklayer has successfully completed training often they move on to self employment status.

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