A Mason uses bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and other materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures. They are also responsible for preparing surfaces to be covered and mixing ingredients they'll need like mortar or cement. Preparatory work such as caulking and cleaning and placing damp proofing and masonry flashing is also done by a Mason. Mason is designated as Bricklayer under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program.
Mason do a variety of residential work including restoring damaged brick work, putting up ornamental or retaining walls and constructing brick driveways, patios, chimneys, and glass block walls. As brick-related products have evolved in recent years, Mason have also become involved in laying bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing to walls and fireplaces and other decorative installations.
Some Mason construct industrial and commercial buildings although there appears to be a trend towards less structural brick work being done now. They are also involved in heat-related work, installing firebricks to line chimneys, furnaces, kilns and boilers.
Prefabricated materials, mortarless bricks, and factory-assembled panelized masonry are trends that have changed the nature of Mason work.
The Bricklayer’s technical training requires all apprentices to complete a practical assessment for each level, as well as a standardized examination for each level. The flow chart below outlines the steps for completing each level.
Apprentice steps for completing each level of technical training
Bricklayer Profile
Practical Assessments for Level 1, 2 and 3
1. Bricklayer (Mason) Level one Practical Assessment
2. Bricklayer (Mason) Level two Practical Assessment
3. Bricklayer (Mason) Level three Practical Assessment
Bricklayer Program Outline
Training Institutions
Click here for a list of ITA-approved institutions
CS011.3 Bricklayer (Mason) Challenge Package
CS012.3 Bricklayer Supervision and Sign-Off Authority
CS002.2 Bricklayer (Mason)
Information Guide: Preparing to Write an Interprovincial Red Seal Examination
This published information guide provides study techniques which can be used to prepare for writing the Interprovincial Red Seal examination for this trade. Topics which are discussed in the guide are: the National Occupational Analysis (NOA), studying for the Red Seal exam, sample Red Seal questions, and writing the Red Seal exam.
Inter-Provincial Examination Information
All of the Inter-Provincial examinations have an assigned number of questions based on each National Occupational Analysis (NOA) blocks and tasks. Refer to the table for an assigned number of questions per exam, the assigned number of questions per block section and the assigned number of questions per task for this trade.
For more information on the program, please contact:
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