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- Carve blocks of stone, and lay and fit stonework into place on construction projects
- You'll need the ability to follow architectural plans and drawings
- You could progress to supervisory jobs like site supervisor or clerk of works
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
Build stone walls or fit cladding using mortar and specialist fixings, or repair damaged stonework.
In either specialism, you could work on a range of projects, like:
- Repairing old buildings and monuments
- Carving or repairing statues or memorial headstones
- Making and fitting stonework like window frames, archways and ornamental garden pieces
- You'll work with materials like sandstone, limestone, slate, marble and granite
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work on a construction site or in a workshop. Your working environment may be at height, outdoors some of the time, dusty, noisy and physically demanding and you may need to wear safety clothing.
You'll need
This role requires the ability to follow architectural plans and drawings, a careful approach to work and attention to detail, maths skills for measuring areas accurately, coordination and practical skills for using tools, and creative skills.
There are no set entry requirements, but employers usually look for some on-site experience.
If you've not worked in construction before, you could look for work as a labourer to gain experience.
Once working, your employer could offer you training.
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed to get a trainee job with a building company. Courses include a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills or Level 2 Diploma in Stonemasonry.
Alternatively you could do an advanced apprenticeship in stonemasonry heritage skills. This will usually take 30 months to complete. You'll do on the job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You can do specialist training courses if you're interested in heritage and conservation skills in stonemasonry.
You'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could progress to supervisory jobs like site supervisor or clerk of works. You could also move into a related area, like estimating and construction management. With further training, you could work as a stonemason or bricklaying instructor at a college or training centre. You could also set up your own stonemasonry business.