Trades

Bricklaying is one of several trades which supports the massive industry known as construction - the building of houses, commercial premises (like shops, hotels or offices) and industrial premises (like factories or warehouses). Other trades within construction include painting and decorating, and carpentry and joinery. Skilled tradespeople usually find themselves in high demand - from homeowners as well as industry - so if you invest in your abilities now, you could have a great future ahead!

If you’d like to learn a trade, then this course is a great place to start. All our trades staff are highly skilled and experienced, and fully committed to sharing their expertise and knowledge with you. Ayrshire College is also recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Construction Industry Training Board, so there really is no better place for men and women to come and learn a trade!

For entry to this course, you don’t need any formal qualifications or experience. What you must have is a real interest in construction and in particular, bricklaying. You’ll also need to come in for interview.

This is a real practical course which gives you a great introduction to the skill of bricklaying. You’ll focus on two main areas - how to build a wall and how to lay a path. You’ll also learn about various aspects of working successfully on a building site.

We’ll help you develop your skills for employment, such as working as part of a team.

Here's just some of what you'll be doing:

• You’ll begin by learning how to build a straight brick wall. Once you’ve mastered a lightweight block wall, it’s onto corners, with half brick returns. Then you’ll try cavity walls, and learn how to build walls for insulation.
• For footpaths, you’ll start with gravel paths. You’ll then move onto slabs, and how to lay a short, paved footpath.
• You’ll have the chance to put your new skills into action, by working on a real craft project. This might be in the local community, such as new paving for a nursing home. Or it might be a project you carry out in college. Whatever the project, we’ll make sure employers get to see it and the new skills you’ve now got.
• Along the way, you’ll explore the construction industry as a whole - the different trades within construction, the huge variety of roles and who does what on a building project. You’ll also learn about health and safety, to avoid putting yourself or anyone else at risk of an accident.
• You’ll build transferable Essential Skills in meaningful contexts to help you become more effective in life, learning, and work. This could be communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others, and problem solving.
• You’ll build transferable Essential Skills in meaningful contexts to help you become more effective in life, learning, and work. This could be communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others, and problem solving.

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of:

• Moving onto the Bricklaying course in Semester 2
• Seeking to start your career in bricklaying with an apprenticeship

BE INSPIRED BY OUR VIDEO

• Watch our short video where Lecturer Billy Hutchison explains why you should consider a course in Bricklaying. Click here to watch the video.