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Bricklaying

The bricklaying sector consists of the construction and repair of veneer and full brick construction, partitions, arches and other structures using clay bricks, concrete blocks and other types of building materials in mortar. Bricklayers work outdoors and may have to work at heights or in tunnels and shafts. They usually work in teams and may be employed by bricklaying subcontractors or building and construction companies.

What does this Industry cover?

Due to its inherent earthiness and textural appeal, brickwork has witnessed a rebirth as a building material, and it is chosen as a major decorative feature for both exteriors and interiors. When it comes to brick construction, the architectural possibilities and versatility are practically limitless. Bricks come in a variety of textures, colours, sizes, and shapes, allowing for almost endless creativity both inside and out.

A refractory bricklayer is a bricklayer who specialises in the construction, alteration, or repair of boilers, flues, furnaces, retorts, kilns, ovens, and ladles using pliable, castable, marble, moulding, and insulating materials, as well as refractory work associated with acid stills, acid furnaces, acid towers, and all other acid resisting brickwork.

Government and non-government clients are looking for bricklayers that can recreate original lime putty ribbon finishes and have heritage abilities in tuck pointing, repairs, restoration, and conservation of Australia's built heritage.

Job hunting information

In the building structure services sector, Victoria employs the most apprentices, followed by New South Wales and Queensland.

The non-residential building market has had a strong demand for bricklaying services with activity mainly confined to small-to-medium-scale commercial and institutional buildings such as shops and schools.

In some geographic areas there is a shortage of heritage skills so therefore incorporating technology and traditional methods into heritage projects necessitates 'sympathetic' restoration.

Top skills in demand are: communication skills, planning, detail oriented, organisational skills and Microsoft Office.

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Information for further research

Peak level associations, government and major employers publish industry information. Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry. Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.

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