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Bricklaying apprenticeships are a perfect avenue for those who aren’t afraid of  hard work and want a career with strong salary progression. Why put in four  years at University to come out with over $30,000 in debt when you can be getting paid to learn a profession that can earn you from $3,000 to $9,000 a month.

Bricklayers lay bricks, pre-cut stone, concrete blocks and other types of building blocks in mortar to construct and repair veneer and solid walls, foundations, partitions, arches and other structures. This job is a mix between a construction worker and an architect. A bricklayer can become specialised in repair or ornamental brickwork. Whether you work for a large construction company or as a private contractor for local residences, bricklaying is a much-needed position in our constantly developing world.

Some of the characteristics needed to be a bricklayer are:

• Physically fit
• Good hand eye coordination
• Comfortable with heights and working outdoors
• Good communication skills
• Mechanical and Technical aptitude
• Able to read blueprints
• Motivated

A bricklayer apprenticeship is a great program for the ‘out-of-office’ worker. The industry has been able to weather the storm of financial recession and one indicator is the clear demand of bricklayers in the many ongoing projects throughout Australia.

Bricklayers earn from $35,000 to over $60,000,  a Salary Snapshot for Bricklayer Jobs 27 Oct 2010

year, and the difference in salary comes with the amount of experience and motivation to take charge in this industry. Many commentaries have stated that experience is what matters since there seems to be no formal education to qualify someone as a bricklayer. But the Australian immigration system requires an assessment of an individual worker’s skills and capacity. There are good opportunities, for those who have completed their apprenticeship, to open their own business. There has also been a trend for self-employed bricklayers to sub-contract their services to larger bricklaying or construction firms.

‘‘Many of today’s successful builders, construction managers and construction industry specialists learned about the industry through their apprenticeship in bricklaying,” states Master Builders Association former Safety Manager, Peter Doherty. In some schools, training can be started as early as Year 11 through Vocational Education and Training Programs.

To become a qualified bricklayer you must complete a three-year apprenticeship in Bricklaying. A two-year apprenticeship has been introduced in Bricklaying (Housing) to meet demand generated by skills shortages, and a Certificate I in General Construction (Pre Apprentice Bricklaying/Blocklaying) is available through a number of TAFE Colleges.

Bricklaying apprenticeships open up the doors of opportunity for one to get out of a office cubical setting and work with their hands on a project that has visible results. You get to own your own work and after gaining experience you have the option of becoming your own boss and creating your own enterprise.