A bricklayer is someone who builds walls and other structures with bricks. The job of a bricklayer is physically demanding, and it requires a lot of skill and experience to do the job correctly. In this post, we will take a closer look at what bricklayers do on the job, what type of education and training is required to become a bricklayer, and the history of this skilled trade. We will also discuss the professional union that represents bricklayers in the United States.
Bricklaying can be a fulfilling job – you potentially build structures that will house people or be used in day to day life such as school or offices. Many buildings will last decades or even hundreds of year if built and maintained properly!
The bricklayer’s job is to build walls and other structures with bricks and bricklayers levels and tools. This can involve a variety of tasks, such as laying the bricks in mortar, shaping the brick edges, and making sure that the wall is level.
Bricklayers use a variety of tools to complete their work. These include trowels for smoothing the mortar between bricks, levels to ensure that the wall is straight, measures to ensure that the correct placement of brick arrangements, and brushes for cleaning the bricks.
In order to become a professional bricklayer, you will need to complete an apprenticeship program. These programs usually last four years, and they provide you with the necessary skills and experience to work as a bricklayer. There are also some post-secondary schools that offer degree or diploma programs in masonry or bricklaying as well.
The bricklayer’s trade has a long history. The first brick structures were built in ancient Egypt and China. Bricklayers have been unionized since the early 1800s, and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers union is one of the oldest labor unions in the United States. Today, there are more than 25,000 bricklayers who are members of bricklayers unions. The unions represents bricklayers in a variety of industries, including construction, masonry, and chimney repair. If you are interested in becoming a bricklayer, a bricklayer’s union can provide you with more information about apprenticeship programs and other training opportunities.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding trade, bricklaying may be the right choice for you. The skills and experience that you gain as a bricklayer can help you to find employment in a variety of industrieA s. And the bricklayer’s union provides benefits and job security that are unmatched in other trades. So if you are interested in becoming a bricklayer, contact a bricklayer’s union today to learn more about apprenticeship programs and other training opportunities.
Sources:
– “Bricklayer.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.
– Garman, Rich. “The Bricklayer’s Union.” The Craftsman