Questions from and for bricklaying apprentices.
What tools should I buy first as a first year brickie, and what does the boss supply?
Start with your own trowel, spirit level, brick line and pins, a good tape and a lump hammer and bolster. A comfy pair of a couple of trowels (a laying trowel and a pointing trowel) is worth the spend because they see the most use. The bigger gear like mixers, saws, wheelbarrows and mortar boards is normally supplied by the boss on site, so do not go broke buying plant on day one.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified bricklaying
Do I need a white card before I can start on a bricklaying site?
Yes, you need a construction induction card (the white card) before you set foot on a construction site anywhere in Australia. You get it by doing a short induction course (unit CPCWHS1001, Prepare to work safely in the construction industry) through an approved Registered Training Organisation. Once you pass, the RTO gives you a statement of training you can use while your actual card is processed by the state authority.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified bricklaying
How long is a bricklaying apprenticeship and what qualification do I end up with?
It is generally a four year apprenticeship where you work on the job and do blocks of study at TAFE or a training provider. At the end you come out with a Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying, which is a nationally recognised trade qualification. Some keen apprentices finish a bit early if their skills and competencies are signed off ahead of time.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified bricklaying
How do I work out what I should actually be getting paid as an apprentice?
Your pay depends on your award or agreement, your year of apprenticeship, whether you are adult or junior, and your state. The straight up way to check is the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool, which lets you pick the Building and Construction award and your apprentice year to see the minimum rates and allowances. If your numbers do not line up with that, have a quiet word with your boss or the apprenticeship network provider.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified bricklaying
Is it normal to feel dead slow and just carry bricks and mix mud all day at the start?
Yes, that is completely normal for a first year, and every good brickie started exactly there. Loading out, mixing mud, keeping the mortar boards full and the line moving is how you learn the rhythm of a gang and earn the right to lay more. Watch the tradies closely, keep your area tidy, and the speed on the trowel comes with the miles, not overnight.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified bricklaying
