The Level 2 Bricklayer, and the 150 providers delivering it.

Roles after completion

Completing this apprenticeship typically leads directly into a qualified Bricklayer role. At that point, a bricklayer works independently or as part of a trade gang, setting out and constructing cavity walls, installing lintels, damp-proof courses and insulation, and reading drawings to hit tolerances on site. Roles exist across new build housing, commercial construction and refurbishment projects, with day-to-day accountability for quality, safety compliance and material efficiency on their section of a build.

Progression paths

With a few years of site experience, qualified bricklayers often move into Senior Bricklayer or Craft Bricklayer positions, taking responsibility for leading a small team and mentoring apprentices. From there, two tracks tend to open up: a supervisory route toward Bricklaying Supervisor, Site Manager or Contracts Manager; or a specialist route focusing on heritage and restoration work, architectural brickwork, or complex masonry detailing. Further qualifications, such as a Level 3 Advanced Bricklayer standard or an NVQ at Level 3, support either path.

Where these roles sit

Demand comes from across the UK construction industry. Housebuilders of all sizes, from local family contractors to large volume housebuilders, are consistent employers, as are commercial main contractors working on offices, hospitals, schools and retail developments. Refurbishment and conservation specialists also hire for this skillset. Most roles sit in the private sector, though public sector frameworks covering social housing and education estates generate steady demand too.

How the apprenticeship is assessed

Learning takes place on the job, with the apprentice building practical bricklaying competence alongside employment on real construction sites. Before final assessment, there is a gateway review where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has covered the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. The final assessment then judges whether the apprentice can perform the role to the standard expected: working safely, reading drawings, setting out, constructing cavity walls correctly and applying appropriate finishes. Assessment models for many construction standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification before enrolling.

What learners need to prepare

Throughout the apprenticeship, it helps to keep a running record of work completed on site, including different wall types, materials used and any problem-solving done day to day. This evidence builds into a body of work that supports the gateway review and final assessment. Waiting until near the end to collect evidence makes the process harder. Apprentices should talk regularly with their employer and training provider about progress against each knowledge, skill and behaviour area so gaps can be addressed well ahead of the gateway.

What good looks like

Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% for this standard on their FATP profile; above 75% is a strong signal given the physical and practical demands of the programme. Because bricklaying assessment is hands-on, check that the provider runs or has consistent access to a dedicated masonry training facility where learners can practise cavity wall construction, setting out and joint finishes on real materials. High employer and apprentice satisfaction scores matter here, as does evidence that off-the-job training is structured around site-realistic tasks rather than classroom theory alone. Providers covering your region and actively working with construction employers of similar scale to yours are worth prioritising.

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious if a provider cannot clearly explain how practical skills, such as cavity wall construction, lintel installation and DPC application, are assessed and rehearsed before the end-point assessment. A high volume of enrolments combined with a declining achievement rate warrants close scrutiny. Vague answers about on-site supervisor engagement or an inability to describe how they keep pace with current building regulations and British Standards are warning signs. If the provider cannot point to apprentices who have progressed into employment as bricklayers, treat that as a serious concern.

Questions to ask before you commit

• What training facilities do you use for hands-on bricklaying practice, and can we visit them?
• How do you structure off-the-job training across the 24 months, and what proportion involves practical masonry work rather than classroom sessions?
• How do you keep the curriculum current with changes to building regulations, British Standards, and warranty provider requirements?
• What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the past two years?
• How do you coordinate with the apprentice's employer to ensure on-site experience covers the full range of skills, including cavity wall construction and working at height safely?
• What support do you provide if an apprentice falls behind on practical competencies before the end-point assessment?
• Can you give examples of where apprentices have gone on to employment as bricklayers after completing with you?