Journeyman bricklayer Danny Young stands next to the exterior of the Citadel High construction site in Halifax. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff)

DANNY YOUNG never planned on being a bricklayer.

The 41-year-old Halifax man, employed with Diaden Masonry, says he initially went to community college as a way to get out of two high school classes he hated.

But what started as a way to dodge heavy textbooks quickly became a passion.

"It's a great job," he said recently, aligning bricks that will become part of a wall at the new Citadel High School in Halifax.

"You can see progress every day. That's something you don't get with every job."

To succeed as a bricklayer, he said you need a strong back and a willingness to work hard. You also have to like the outdoors.

"Ninety five per cent of the time your job starts outside. You may be inside when you're done, but you start outside."

To learn more about bricklaying as a profession read on.

Nature of the Work:
Bricklayers lay concrete blocks, bricks, stone, and other similar materials to construct or repair walls and other structures according to blueprint specifications.

Also, they build chimneys and fireplaces, line or reline furnaces, construct and install prefabricated masonry units, and build patios, garden walls and other decorative structures.

Skills:
This work requires a sense of balance, an eye for line and proportion and the ability to work with precision. You should be in excellent physical condition, co-ordinated and comfortable working at heights. The ability to follow instructions and co-operate with others is important. A good imagination and creative ability are also assets in this trade.

Employment Requirements:
High school graduation and completion of a four-year apprenticeship program are required to become a bricklayer in Nova Scotia.

Bricklayer and restoration stonemason are designated apprenticeship trades in Nova Scotia. Certification for bricklayers is compulsory.

Other Considerations:
Jobs in the construction industry are strongly affected by seasonal changes and general economic conditions. As a result, workers in these occupations should be prepared for periods of unemployment. Also, many work on one project at a time and can expect periods of unemployment throughout the year. The wage rate for apprentices is usually a percentage of the journeymen's rate, increasing upon completion of each stage of the apprenticeship program.

Red Seal trade certification (allowing for interprovincial mobility) is available to qualified bricklayers.

Work Prospects:
Demand for this occupation is influenced by trends in the construction industry, particularly residential construction. New housing construction is expected to decline in the coming years, which will negatively affect demand for this occupation. Non-residential construction should continue to have steady growth. Retrofit and restoration work should create some demand for this occupation as it is anticipated that there will continue to be growth in the home-renovations market.

Labour Market Information: