To become a bricklayer in the UK, you can take a college course, do a bricklaying apprenticeship at Level 2 or Level 3, or start as a site labourer or hod carrier and train on the job. Whichever route you pick, you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to train and work on a construction site, which means passing a health, safety and environment test.
Bricklaying is one of the most accessible trades to get into, with routes for school leavers and career changers. I've used the National Careers Service bricklayer profile and the official CSCS website, both read on 26 October 2026.
Four ways into bricklaying
| Route | Who it suits | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite Trades Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship | Ages 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 in some cases | No specific qualifications or experience |
| Bricklaying Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship | Anyone ready to train with an employer | Some GCSEs, usually including English and maths |
| Craft Bricklaying Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship | Those wanting advanced craft skills | 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths |
| College course or T Level | School leavers who want to learn before finding an employer | 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 for a T Level |
| Labourer or hod carrier | People who want to start earning straight away | Set by the employer |
If you're changing career, the National Careers Service says some colleges and private training organisations run short or part-time bricklaying taster courses. They're a low-risk way to find out whether you enjoy the work before you commit.
Step by step
- Pick your route. Choose an apprenticeship, a college course or a labourer job based on your age, qualifications and whether you need to earn while you learn.
- Pass the CITB health, safety and environment test. CSCS says you need to have passed the right level of this test within the last two years, or an approved alternative, to apply for a card.
- Apply for your CSCS card. CSCS says the quickest way is through its My CSCS app or CSCS Online.
- Learn the craft on site. You'll work alongside a bricklaying team, often called a gang, and build speed through repetition.
- Keep progressing. Move from Level 2 to Level 3, or specialise in heritage brickwork or stonemasonry.
The card that decides whether you can work
This is the part people underestimate. The National Careers Service says you'll need a CSCS card or an equivalent to train and work on a construction site, so it matters from your very first day as a trainee. Book your health, safety and environment test early, because a pass only counts for two years when you apply. CSCS also lets you upload a photo of your qualification certificate through its app when you apply. If you're starting as a labourer, sorting the card before you look for work makes you far easier to hire.
Skills you'll need
The National Careers Service lists the skills and knowledge that matter most for bricklayers. You'll need:
- Knowledge of building and construction
- To be thorough and pay attention to detail
- The ability to work well with others and with your hands
- To be flexible and open to change
- The ability to organise your time and workload
- Concentration, and the ability to check the quality of your own work
- Basic computer or hand-held device skills
Attention to detail sounds dull until you see what a wall that's a few millimetres out looks like ten courses up. That's why checking your work with a level or plumb line is part of every day.
What bricklayers do
- Measure work areas and set out the first rows of bricks or blocks
- Shape and trim bricks with hammers, chisels and power tools
- Check rows are straight using a spirit level, laser level or plumb line
- Repoint brickwork to repair old or damaged mortar joints
- Build architectural and ornamental brickwork features
The work is physically demanding, often outdoors in all weathers and at height, and you'll travel between sites. You might work on a construction site or at a client's home, and you may need to wear protective clothing.
What apprentices earn
Apprenticeship pay varies by employer. As one example, two bricklaying apprenticeships listed on the National Careers Service each paid £16,640 a year, as of October 2026. With experience, you could also work for yourself as a self-employed contractor, which the National Careers Service lists as a common next step.
Where it can lead
With experience, the National Careers Service says you could specialise in heritage brickwork or stonemasonry, become a self-employed contractor or set up your own business, or train apprentice bricklayers at a further education college. If you go self-employed, read up on the Construction Industry Scheme, since it affects how contractors pay you. Employers training apprentices may also want to understand the apprenticeship levy.
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My verdict
Bricklaying is a trade where effort turns into skill quickly. If you're 16 to 21, the foundation apprenticeship needs no qualifications at all, which makes it one of the easiest starts in construction. Older career changers can try a taster course, then start as a labourer while training. Either way, get your CSCS card sorted first, because it's the key to getting on site.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to become a bricklayer?
Not always. The Onsite Trades Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship needs no specific qualifications or experience. Intermediate and advanced apprenticeships usually ask for some GCSEs, including English and maths.
How old do you have to be for a bricklaying apprenticeship?
The foundation apprenticeship is for ages 16 to 21, and in some cases 22 to 24. Other apprenticeships are open more widely.
Do bricklayers need a CSCS card?
Yes. The National Careers Service says you'll need a CSCS card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
How do you get a CSCS card?
You need to have passed the right level of the CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years, or an approved alternative, then apply through CSCS.
Can you become a bricklayer without an apprenticeship?
Yes. You could start as a site labourer or hod carrier and train on the job, or take a college course first.
How much do bricklaying apprentices earn?
It varies. Two bricklaying apprenticeships listed on the National Careers Service in October 2026 each paid £16,640 a year.
