Start Your Brick & Block Laying Apprenticeship

What you will do Brick and block layers may do some or all of the following: consult with clients design and draw bricklaying plans read and follow construction plans cut and shape bricks, blocks and tiles make and place mortar lay bricks, blocks and tiles in rows or shapes alter, repair and restore brickwork. Skills and knowledge Brick and block layers need to have knowledge of: bricklaying methods, materials and tools the ability to interpret building plans and drawings laying bricks, blocks or tiles skills basic carpentry and maths skills decorating styles health and safety requirements. Working conditions Brick and block layers: usually work long hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends work outside on construction sites and inside buildings, in conditions that may be noisy and dirty travel locally to building sites. Pay Pay for brick and block layers depends on their skills and experience, and whether they are employed or contracted. Most qualified brick and block layers are self-employed. Apprentice brick and block layers usually start on the minimum wage, but earn more as they gain experience. Brick and block layers with over five years’ experience usually earn $25 to $35 an hour. Qualified brick and block layers with over five years’ experience can earn $40 to $60 an hour. Highly experienced brick and block layers who manage job sites can earn from $60 to $80 an hour. Source: Brick and block layers Federation of New Zealand, 2019. PAYE website – use this calculator to convert pay and salary information Employment New Zealand website – information about minimum pay rates (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

Career opportunities Brick and block layer, supervisor, business owner Entry requirements There are no specific requirements to become a brick and blocklayer. However, many employers prefer to hire brick and block layers who have or are working towards a qualification. To become a qualified brick and blocklayer you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Trowel Trades Brick & Block Laying (Level 4) or a New Zealand Certificate in Trowel Trades Refractory Installation (Level 4). The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) oversees brick and blocklaying apprenticeships. BCITO website – information about brick and blocklaying apprenticeships Secondary education No specific secondary education is required for this job, but English, maths and construction and mechanical technologies to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful. Year 11 and 12 learners can find out more about the construction industry and gain relevant skills, by doing a National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades (Levels 1 and 2) through the BConstructive programme. For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills. These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the time it takes to complete it. BConstructive website – information on the BConstructive programme Personal requirements Brick and block layers need to be: accurate motivated able to work to strict deadlines able to work well independently and as part of a team comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces good communicators. Useful experience Useful experience for brick and block layers includes: industrial, interior or landscape design work construction site labouring any other work in the building construction industry. Physical requirements Brick and block layers need to be reasonably fit and healthy, and need to have strong arms and a strong back. Registration Some building work must be carried out or overseen by a Licensed Building Practitioner. To get a licence, you have to prove your experience and/or have appropriate qualifications. Licenced Building Practitioners website – information on applying for a licence Find out more about training Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) 0800 422 486 – [email protected] – www.bcito.org.nz

Career opportunities Brick and block layer, supervisor, business owner Shortage of brick and block layers Bricklayer appears on Immigration New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled brick and block layers from overseas to work in New Zealand. However, like many building jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for brick and block layers. According to the Census, 1,791 brick and block layers worked in New Zealand in 2018. Decreasing number of brick and blocklayer apprentices but strong demand There has been a decreasing supply of new brick and block layers over the last few years. There are not enough qualified brick and block layers to meet demand. You can increase your chances of getting a brick and blocklaying apprenticeship if you have: a good attitude to work, good time management skills, and are willing to learn completed a Gateway or pre-trade programme experience in brick and blocklaying a tertiary qualification but want to retrain in brick and blocklaying. Self-employment common among brick and block layers More than half (60%) of brick and block layers are self-employed. Most of the remaining 40% work for building subcontractors. What are the chances of getting a job? Growth in building work means good opportunities for brick and block layers Chances of getting a job as a brick and blocklayer are good due to: moderate growth in construction is predicted to extend until at least the end of 2023, meaning more building work the Government’s KiwiBuild programme involves the building of quality affordable homes over the next decade building work needed to upgrade leaky homes and earthquake-prone buildings. The Christchurch post-earthquake rebuild is ongoing but most of the remaining work is in the non-residential (commercial) sector. Sources Immigration New Zealand, ‘Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List’, 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz). McIver, M, chief executive officer, Brick and block layers Federation New Zealand, careers.govt.nz interview, August 2019. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ‘National Construction Pipeline Report 2018’, July 2019, (www.mbie.govt.nz). Stats NZ, ‘2018 Census Data’, 2019. (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information) Progression and specialisations Brick and block layers may progress to set up their own business. Brick and block layers may specialise in paving and resurfacing outside areas with bricks, tiles, concrete or cobblestones.