How to become a bricklayer in the UK
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Is there demand?
No trend data yet 29% of SME builders named bricklayers among the hardest roles to fill (FMB H2 2025). No trade-specific trend data; house building, their biggest market, is falling (PMI 35.1). CITB says the UK needs about 1,080 extra bricklayers and masons a year to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026).
What it pays
Starter £25,000, experienced £45,000 a year on average in England (National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)).
Routes in
- Apprenticeship: Bricklaying (Level 2) / Craft Bricklaying (Level 3)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
Key figures for bricklayers
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Bricklayers and masons | 1,080 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Bricklayers and masons | 1.6% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | SME builders naming it a hardest role to fill Share of SME builders naming this as a hardest role to fill | 29% | H2 2025 | FMB/CIOB State of Trade H2 2025, 31 Mar 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Bricklayers and masons | 65,880 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Bricklayers and masons | 68,630 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
What the wider market is doing
Across construction, demand is softening: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026 (S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026) and the CPA expects private housing repair, maintenance and improvement work to fall 8% in 2026 (CPA Autumn forecasts, 26 Oct 2026). Longer term, CITB estimates the UK needs about 1,080 extra workers a year in bricklayers and masons on average to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026). Training takes time, so it's worth thinking about where demand will be when you qualify, not just today. See all demand signals.
Courses and published prices
| Provider | Course | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Bricklaying Course | £1,895 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Bricklaying Course with Training for NVQ Level 2 | £3,295 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Introduction to Bricklaying | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Advanced Bricklaying Course | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Extended Bricklaying Programme | £2,495 inc VAT |
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.