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L3Apprenticeship7111 approved provider
The Level 3 Craft bricklayer, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Set out and lay bricks, brick specials, blocks and other materials.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Craft bricklayers work at the technical end of masonry, handling complex tasks that go beyond standard blockwork. The apprenticeship covers setting out and building sloped, angled and radial brickwork, axed arches, chimneys and decorative features. Apprentices learn to read drawings and production plans, calculate material quantities, apply British Standards and building regulations, and understand heritage techniques for repair and listed building work. Health and safety legislation, environmental management, and modern construction methods including timber frame and insulated concrete forms are also covered.
Day-to-day responsibilities
On site, an apprentice at this level will be setting out complex masonry features, using optical and laser levels alongside traditional tools, and operating cut-off saws and power mixers safely. They will read and extract information from technical drawings and specifications, check materials, and coordinate with carpenters, roofers and site engineers. A significant part of the role involves overseeing and quality-checking the work of less experienced bricklayers, feeding back on standards, and flagging safety or environmental concerns to the site management team.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as senior bricklayer or foreman bricklayer, with responsibility for leading a masonry gang on site. From there, progression into site supervisor or site manager positions is common, particularly with further qualifications. Employers range from small specialist contractors working on heritage and domestic projects to large commercial construction firms running multi-trade programmes. The skills are transferable across new build, refurbishment, conservation and infrastructure sectors, all of which have ongoing demand for qualified craft bricklayers.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Bishop Burton College
Employer: 4.0
Bishop Burton College is a specialist land-based and technical education provider offering a wide ra...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into craft bricklayer positions with a higher degree of technical responsibility than a standard bricklayer role. Common job titles include Senior Bricklayer and Foreman Bricklayer, reflecting the technical leadership element built into the standard. Day-to-day work involves setting out complex masonry features, verifying the quality of others' work, liaising with site engineers and clerks of works, and advising on problem-solving across the masonry elements of a construction programme.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many move into Bricklaying Foreman or Site Supervisor roles, taking broader responsibility for programme delivery, resourcing and subcontractor coordination. The longer-term split tends to run in two directions: a leadership track towards Site Manager or Contracts Manager, and a specialist track focused on heritage masonry, conservation work or complex decorative brickwork. The specialist route is particularly relevant for those working on listed buildings and restoration projects, where demand for skilled technical judgement tends to be consistent.
Where these roles sit
Employers range from small specialist masonry contractors to large commercial main contractors delivering housing, commercial and infrastructure projects. The heritage and conservation sector, including work on listed buildings and scheduled monuments, draws heavily on craft-level bricklaying skills. Housebuilders, social housing providers and refurbishment contractors also hire at this level. Roles exist across the public and private sectors, with local authorities and housing associations featuring alongside private developers and specialist restoration firms.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the apprenticeship, learning takes place on the job alongside structured training. The apprentice builds competence across the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a craft-level bricklayer, covering areas such as setting out complex masonry features, reading construction drawings, managing safe systems of work, and providing technical direction to others. Before final assessment, a readiness check, known as a gateway, confirms the apprentice has met the necessary standards. Final assessment then establishes whether the apprentice can perform the full role to the required level. Assessment requirements for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a clear record of workplace activity throughout the apprenticeship is important. Apprentices should document real site work as it happens, covering the range of complex tasks required at craft level, such as angled brickwork, arch construction and quality verification of others' work. Waiting until close to the gateway to gather evidence makes preparation harder. Working closely with both the employer and training provider from the start, and keeping records accurate and up to date, gives the apprentice the best foundation for demonstrating full competence when it counts.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
A strong provider for this standard will have practical masonry facilities where apprentices can work with real materials, including brick specials and mortar, rather than simulated exercises alone. Look for achievement rates above 65% on their FATP profile, though given this is a physically demanding trade with outdoor working conditions, check whether the provider explains any drops in cohort completion. High employer satisfaction scores matter here because the standard requires the provider to develop someone who can technically lead and supervise others, not just lay bricks. Ask to see how end-point assessment preparation covers complex set-out work, arches and angled masonry.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot clearly describe how apprentices practise heritage techniques alongside modern methods of construction. Providers running large cohorts with vague answers about site-based placements are a concern, since the standard demands competence in working at height, in varying conditions, with multi-trade coordination. A declining achievement rate combined with high volume suggests throughput is being prioritised over quality. Providers who cannot point to completers working in supervisory or foreman roles should also prompt further questioning.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What practical facilities do you have for training complex brickwork, including arches, battered work and decorative masonry?
- How do you incorporate heritage bricklaying techniques, and do you have tutors with direct experience in refurbishment or listed building work?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and what explains any changes over the past two years?
- How do you prepare apprentices for the supervisory and quality-checking responsibilities in the standard, not just the hands-on bricklaying?
- Which regions do you cover, and where does the off-the-job training take place relative to the employer's site?
- How do you keep training current with Modern Methods of Construction, including timber frame and insulated concrete forms?
- Can you put us in contact with employers who have previously apprenticed with you on this standard?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for the craft bricklayer apprenticeship?
There are no single fixed entry requirements set nationally, so individual employers and training providers set their own criteria. In practice, most expect apprentices to have some prior experience or basic bricklaying skills, often gained through a Level 2 bricklaying qualification or site work. Apprentices must be employed throughout and work on real construction projects. Check with your chosen provider for their specific conditions and any English and maths requirements.
How long does the apprenticeship last and how is the time split between work and learning?
The typical duration is 18 months, though this depends on prior experience and the pace of progress. Apprentices are employed throughout and apply their learning directly on site. A portion of contracted hours must be spent on off-the-job training, but the exact percentage is subject to current government reforms. Check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page for the latest requirements before committing.
How is the craft bricklayer apprenticeship assessed?
Before the end-point assessment, an apprentice must pass through a gateway, which means the employer, training provider and apprentice agree that the required knowledge, skills and behaviours have been met. Assessment models for many standards are being updated under current Skills England reforms, so the specific assessment methods may change. Check the current version of the standard on the gov.uk apprenticeships page for the confirmed end-point assessment approach before enrolling.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £10,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from apprenticeship funding. Larger employers paying the apprenticeship levy use those levy funds directly. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy contribute 5% of the training cost, with the government paying the remaining 95%. If you are a small employer taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, the government covers the full cost. Speak to a training provider or the Education and Skills Funding Agency for guidance on your specific situation.
What does a craft bricklayer apprentice actually do on a day-to-day basis?
Day-to-day work involves setting out and laying bricks, blocks and specialist materials to construct complex masonry features including arches, chimneys, battered walls and decorative work. Apprentices read drawings and specifications, calculate materials, and use both hand tools and powered cutting equipment. At this level, they also check the quality of others' work, provide technical direction to team members, and liaise with site managers, carpenters, roofers and other construction professionals. Work takes place outdoors, at height and in most weather conditions.
What can a craft bricklayer apprentice progress to after completing this apprenticeship?
Completion leads to a recognised Level 3 qualification and the job titles most commonly associated with it are craft bricklayer, senior bricklayer and foreman bricklayer. From there, experienced bricklayers often move into site supervision, contracts management or self-employment. Further study options include higher construction qualifications, site management programmes or chartered membership routes through bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building. The technical leadership skills built during the apprenticeship make progression into management roles a realistic path.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 711.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.