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BRICKLAYER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Bricklayers prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys.
Bricklayers work with masonry materials such as brick, concrete block, stone, structural tile and precast panels. They also lay or install fire brick or castable materials in commercial and industrial furnaces and incinerators, and acid tile and acid brick in pulp mills.
In general, bricklayers:
Bricklayers must know the properties of various mortars and other bonding materials, and how to handle different types of masonry units.
Bricklayers usually work outdoors, often on scaffolding. They sometimes use protective enclosures and portable heaters in adverse weather conditions. The work is physically demanding, and some travel may be required to get to various work sites. Bricklayers work a five-day, 40-hour week. Overtime is sometimes required to meet construction schedules
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with their hands on a variety of projects which sometimes require creativity.
To be successful in their trade, bricklayers need:
Bricklayers are employed by special trade, building and general contractors. Some bricklayers are self-employed, usually contracting on small jobs such as patios and fireplaces. Bricklayers may experience periods of unemployment during an economic downturn when construction slows down and/or during cold weather.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $24 to $30 an hour plus benefits.
Many bricklayers stay in the trade until they retire. Others advance to estimator, inspector or foreman positions.
To work as a Bricklayer in Alberta, a person must:
Bricklayers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A bricklayer who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A bricklayer who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Bricklayers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a bricklayer is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a bricklayer in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Courses in mathematics and science are particularly important.
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice bricklayers earn at least 60 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 80 percent in the second, and 90 percent in the third year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for bricklayer apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
