Bricklayers

Example job titles

• apprentice bricklayer
• bricklayer
• brickmason
• refractory bricklayer
• stonecutter
• stonemason

Main duties

• 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

Employment requirements

• 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.

Approved positions by year

All work permits by year

New permanent residents by year