Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST1334
  3. Version: 1.0
  4. Level: 3
  5. Typical duration to gateway: 18 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 3 months
  7. Maximum funding: £10000
  8. Route: Construction and the built environment
  9. Date updated: 19/09/2023
  10. Approved for delivery: 8 June 2023
  11. Lars code: 711
  12. EQA provider: Ofqual
  13. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
Print apprenticeship summary (Including PDF)

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Set out and lay bricks, brick specials, blocks and other materials.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the built environment including in the new build, refurbishment and heritage sectors. Projects vary in size, type and duration, ranging from the creation of specialist features such as arches and chimneys for a domestic customer to the repair of a listed building to a large-scale commercial project utilising multiple facework types, techniques and materials. Employers of craft bricklayers vary in size from small companies to large commercial contractors. Craft bricklayers are masters in their field and often provide technical leadership and supervise the work of others.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to set out and lay bricks, brick specials, blocks and other materials to construct and repair complex walls and features such as chimneys, battered, angled, radial and decorative masonry work. Craft bricklayers plan and organise the work site, both for themselves and others and verify the quality of the work of others within their team. They are technical experts in their team, providing direction and advice to others and advise on work approach and problem solving. They are responsible for ensuring the masonry element of the construction programme is delivered to specification, time and in a safe and sustainable manner. Craft bricklayers typically work outdoors on construction sites, in most weathers and at height.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their immediate team and the site management team on all masonry aspects of the construction programme including planning, technical expertise and project progress. They often liaise with other construction trades such as site carpenters and roofers who could work for their own organisation or another contractor. As the technical lead for masonry they are also expected to liaise with other construction professionals for example the clerk of works and site engineer and in the case of smaller specialist projects, the client, architect and building control surveyor.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring the products they and their team create are of a high quality and meet standards, specifications and design plans. They are expected to do this with due regard to all safety aspects involved with working on a construction site, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others at all times. With sustainable construction at the forefront of all projects, it is expected they would give consideration and advise others on the environment and sustainability of materials, waste awareness and recycling.

Typical job titles include:

Craft bricklayer Foreman bricklayer Senior bricklayer

Duties

  • Duty 1 Work in compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of self and others at all times.
  • Duty 2 Carry out their work in compliance with all current and relevant building regulations and quality standards, where appropriate checking the work of others for compliance.
  • Duty 3 Lead the bricklaying team in the delivery of the construction programme including interpreting technical specifications, manufacturers instructions and drawings, including digital information.
  • Duty 4 Plan and organise the work site including setting out the work site materials and tools appropriate to the project for self and others.
  • Duty 5 Plan the work to obtain optimum environmental, quality and schedule performance from the team, hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.
  • Duty 6 Construct complex masonry structures to industry standards and specifications.
  • Duty 7 Work effectively on their own and supervise others.
  • Duty 8 Maintain a clear and safe worksite at all times, promoting sustainable building practices.
  • Duty 9 Carry out continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of current and future developments affecting the role and share with others.
  • Duty 10 Proactively collaborate with stakeholders, clients and other construction trades, including programming and technical matters.
  • Duty 11 Repair, modify, maintain or replace a variety of masonry types.

ST1334, craft bricklayer level 3

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • merit
  • distinction


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods

Multiple-choice test

You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
In the test you can have:

  • scientific calculator
  • pen and paper

The test administrator should provide this equipment in readiness for the test.

The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 70 minutes to complete it.



Practical assessment with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 12 hours. They will ask you at least 6 questions.


Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: A&B Joinery, Association of Brickwork Contractors, Barratt Developments PLC, Bordercraft Group, City and Guilds, Dunchurch Brickwork, Fairgrove Homes, Federation of Master Builders, FMB, Galliard Homes, George Cook, Home Builders Federation, Lyons & Annoot Ltd, McCarthy and Stone, Morgan Sindall Group (Lovell Homes), Redrow, Saint Gobain, Taylor Wimpey, William Davis

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 08/06/2023 Not set

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