Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

• Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required
• Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools
• Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and similar materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures in residential, industrial and commercial construction
• Lay bricks or other masonry units to build residential or commercial chimneys and fireplaces
• Lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys
• Lay or install firebricks to line industrial chimneys and smokestacks
• Line or reline furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, refractory concretes, plastic refractories and other materials
• Lay bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing to walls or other surfaces
• Construct and install prefabricated masonry units
• Lay bricks or other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations
• May restore, clean or paint existing masonry structures.

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in bricklaying is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for bricklayers is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Yukon.
• Trade certification for stonemasons is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Trade certification for restoration stone masons is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified bricklayers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.