Start Your Stonemasonry Apprenticeship

What you will do Stonemasons may do some or all of the following: talk to clients, design plans for stonework, and provide quotes read and follow plans split, cut and shape stone, and set in place using techniques such as dry-stone walling mix, pour and lay concrete and cement set stone panels onto building walls lay and polish stone floor tiles design, create and inscribe headstones and other memorials (monumental masonry). Skills and knowledge Stonemasons need to have: stone-cutting and building skills skill in working with different types of stone knowledge of how to use traditional hand tools and diamond-cutting tools knowledge of stone-polishing techniques knowledge of safe work practices, and general building practices design skills. Self-employed stonemasons must also have small business skills. Working conditions Stonemasons: usually work 40 hours a week, but may also need to work evenings and weekends spend most of their time working outdoors at building or renovation sites work in dusty and noisy conditions may travel locally to clients and building sites. Pay Pay for stonemasons varies depending on experience and location. Pay is usually higher in regions with greater demand such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and the Central North Island. Stonemason apprentices usually start on the training minimum wage. Unqualified, inexperienced stonemasons working as labourers usually start on the minimum wage. Experienced, qualified stonemasons usually earn between $25 and $40 an hour. Self-employed stonemasons with specialist skills can earn more than $40 an hour, but their income depends on the success of their business. Source: New Zealand Stone Masons Association, 2018. PAYE.net.nz website – use this calculator to convert pay and salary information Employment New Zealand website – information about minimum wage rates (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

Entry requirements There are no specific entry requirements to become a stonemason. However, a New Zealand Certificate in Stonemasonry (Level 4) may be useful. This is available as either: an apprenticeship overseen by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) a two-year full-time course through Otago Polytechnic. Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation website – information on stonemason training Otago Polytechnic website – information on stonemason training The New Zealand Stone Masons Association can help you find stonemasons who take on and train apprentices. New Zealand Stone Masons Association website – contact information Secondary education There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a stonemason. However, NCEA Level 2 construction and mechanical technologies, maths, English and physical education 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 (Level 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 Stonemasons need to be: accurate, with an eye for detail practical and patient safety-conscious motivated and good at solving problems artistic and able to visualise a finished product good at basic maths. Useful experience Useful experience for stonemasons includes: construction work art and design experience. Physical requirements Stonemasons need to have a good level of fitness. They also need to have a strong back and strong arms as they have to bend and lift heavy materials and equipment.

Career opportunities Stonemason, monumental mason, supervisor, production manager, business owner What are the chances of getting a job? Strong demand for stonemasons Chances of getting work as a stonemason are good due to: growth in construction activity, which is expected to continue until at least 2023. This is mainly due to more homes being built demand for high-quality stonework for luxury homes, particularly in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and the Central North Island a shortage of stonemasonry apprentices. Stonemason appears on Immigration New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled stonemasons from overseas to work in New Zealand. However, like many construction jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for stonemasons. According to the Census, 744 stonemasons worked in New Zealand in 2018. Fewer openings for monumental masons Monumental masons, who work on headstones and other memorials, are less in demand due to use of: overseas companies to create headstones, as this costs less computerised lettering rather than masonry techniques. Most stonemason jobs not advertised Stonemason jobs are not usually advertised. You can contact the New Zealand Stone Masons Association about possible jobs or apprenticeships. New Zealand Stone Mason Association website – find out about stonemason jobs Many stonemasons run their own businesses One-third of stonemasons are self-employed, and 13% employ others. Most stonemasons work for small companies of between two and eight employees. Sources Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, ‘Stonemasonry’, accessed August 2018, (www.bcito.org.nz). Gautron, P, chairperson, New Zealand Stone Mason Association, careers.govt.nz interview, August 2018. Immigration New Zealand, ‘Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List’, 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz). Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ‘National Construction Pipeline Report 2018’, July 2018, (www.mbie.govt.nz). Ranchhod, S, ‘Construction Bulletin – July 2018’, July 2018, (www.westpac.co.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 Experienced stonemasons may progress to set up their own business, or move into related work such as landscaping.