Overview
Learn to prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys.
As a bricklayer, your duties will include preparing and laying brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys.
You will work with masonry materials such as brick, concrete block, stone, structural tile and precast panels. You'll also lay or install fire brick or castable materials in commercial and industrial vessels, as well as acid tile and acid brick.
As a bricklayer, you will often:
- interpret drawings and blueprints and calculate the materials required
- measure from an established starting point and construct corners first, using a plumb line and mason’s level to ensure each layer will be level from corner to corner
- spread mortar over the base or previous layer, spread more mortar on one end of each brick to be laid and lay the bricks into position
- remove excess mortar after the brick (or other masonry material) is in position
- use a hammer and chisel or masonry saw to cut bricks to fit, as required
Is this the right fit for me?
Bricklayers are skilled tradespeople who have a knack for creativity, are highly motivated, and enjoy working collaboratively with others. They take pleasure in assisting and communicating with others. This profession is best suited for those who enjoy solving problems and possess a natural ability to bring a concept to life from beginning to end.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- possess creativity and an interest in design
- have the ability to use proper lifting techniques to work with heavy tools and materials weighing in excess of 25 kilograms
- possess manual dexterity and a good sense of balance
- be a team player
- be customer-oriented
- have an eye for colour, line, and proportion
- demonstrate dedication to health and safety in the workplace.
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Bricklayer is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Bricklayers usually work outdoors, often on scaffolding. The work is physically demanding, and some travel may be required to get to various work sites. Bricklayers can work in residential, commercial or industrial settings, which may include confined spaces or working from heights.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions or take on new apprentices. Some Bricklayers move into estimators or inspectors within a company. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance Requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 10-2
- Math 10-3
OR
- A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests.
OR
- Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 20 OR Chemistry 20 OR Science 20
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 9, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 3 | Jan. 15, 2024 | March 8, 2024 |
| 2 | March 11, 2024 | May 3, 2024 |
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
The term of apprenticeship for a bricklayer is three years (three 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction at SAIT each year.
You will start by learning occupational skills, tools and equipment. You will then learn masonry materials, layout, procedures and masonry assembly.
You will then learn occupational skills, wall system design, concrete block construction, above grade masonry and masonry assemblies.
You will then learn occupational skills, masonry assemblies, restoration and repair, chimneys and fireplaces.
Apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 2 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 3 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees*
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023.
| Period | Number of weeks | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 2 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 3 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
Fees breakdown
| SAIT fees | Cost per period |
|---|---|
| Lab and materials fee | $90 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 |
| Campus recreation fee | $51.50 |
| Total | $247 |
Saitsa fee per week: $9
Learn more about what your fees are for
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal protective equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
