Are you preparing for a bricklaying career and wondering which skills to build before your first day on a job? The honest answer is that success in the masonry trade starts well before you lay your first brick. Future bricklayers who arrive with steady hands, basic math skills, safety awareness, and dependable work habits develop real confidence as they move through their apprenticeship.
The opportunity is worth the effort. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, masonry workers earned a median wage of $56,600 in May 2024, with about 20,700 job openings projected each year through 2034.
At ULA Network, we proudly support union labor education and the BAC Local 1 apprenticeship and training program. In this guide, we walk you through the skills that matter most.
Construction crews run on tight schedules, and every member counts. Apprentices who show up prepared earn respect from instructors and journeyworkers early in their training. That respect leads to more hands-on time and steadier progress toward journey-level status.
Preparation also protects you, because a jobsite rewards workers who understand their tools, materials, and surroundings from day one.
The craft rests on a set of core physical skills, and the fundamentals always come first:
Every wall begins on paper. Future bricklayers should learn to read drawings, find dimensions, and turn them into an accurate layout on the ground. This skill separates workers who follow instructions from craftworkers who understand the full build.
Fractions, unit conversions, and course calculations come up every single day. Strong measuring habits help prevent wasted material and costly rework. Practice this math early, and it will feel natural on the jobsite.
Safe work habits are among the most valuable skills you can bring to a crew. They keep you working and earning while others may be held off-site until their certifications are complete.That foundation carries into everyday safety, including:
Skills alone do not build a career. Reliability and attitude stand out on every crew. That’s shows up in daily jobsite expectations:
This is not a trade you learn alone. BAC Local 1 NY represents more than 5,000 skilled masonry craftworkers who have shaped landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal, Yankee Stadium, and the World Trade Center Memorial. Their apprentices earn wages while they learn, with pay that rises as their skills grow.
Training takes place at the 18,000-square-foot John B. Scola Training Center in Long Island City. We covered this facility in our story on hands-on training strengthening the future of construction in NYC.
This structure explains why union apprenticeships are growing in 2026. Employers trust the training, and members build careers with strong wages and benefits.
Every skilled bricklayer once stood exactly where you stand now. The skills we outlined here give you a head start, and the BAC Local 1 apprenticeship and training program gives you the structure, mentorship, and union support to build a lifelong career.
Our mission at ULA Network is to connect union members, families, and future craftworkers with the organizations that strengthen the labor movement. BAC Local 1 stands among the valued supporters of the ULA Network, and their commitment to education reflects everything our foundation works to advance. Reach out to our team at ULA Network today, and let us help you take that first step toward the masonry trade with confidence.
Most union bricklayer apprenticeships run several years, combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apprentices move up in pay as they advance through each stage. BAC Local 1 posts current program details and application windows on its official site.
No prior experience is required for most applicants. A high school diploma or equivalency, reliable attendance, and a willingness to learn matter far more. The training center teaches the craft from the ground up.
Union bricklayers generally earn higher wages, and the contract adds health coverage, pension contributions, and annuity benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $56,600 for masonry workers nationally. Union rates in New York typically run well above that figure.
Apprentices at the John B. Scola Training Center complete federal, state, and local safety certifications. These include OSHA training, scaffold instruction, and fall protection. Completing them keeps you eligible for active jobsites across New York.
We share BAC Local 1 news, training stories, and apprenticeship updates across our platform. You can explore there or contact our team directly. We will point you toward the right union resources for your goals.