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Stonemason

  • Hours

    39 per week

  • Starting salary

    £15,000 + per year

As a stonemason you would use your skills to carve blocks of stone, or lay and fit stonework into place on construction projects. If you would like a practical job where you work with a high level of attention to detail, you could be well suited to this job.

To be good at this job you will also need to be good with numbers. You will have to be able to follow architectural plans.

There aren't any set entry requirements to get into this job. However, many employers would expect you to have some experience on a construction site. There are college courses in stonemasonry you can do that could help you develop the skills you would need. You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme.

The work

As a stonemason, you would normally work as either a banker mason in a workshop, or a fixer mason on site. The skills needed for each overlap, but the focus of your job would be slightly different:

  • as a banker mason you would follow design instructions to carve and shape stone, and give it a textured or polished finish (known as dressing) using hand and power tools
  • as a fixer, you would build stone walls or fit cladding, using mortar and specialist fixings; you might also repair damaged stonework.

In either specialism you could work on a range of projects, such as:

  • repairing old buildings and monuments
  • carving or repairing statues or memorial headstones
  • making and fitting stonework like window frames, archways and ornamental garden pieces.

Due to the variety of the job, you would work with a number of different materials, including sandstone, limestone, slate, marble and granite.

Hours

You would normally work 39 hours a week, with occasional overtime to meet deadlines.

As a banker mason, you would usually be based in a workshop, which could get noisy and dusty. You would use protective equipment, such as safety boots, ear defenders and goggles. As a fixer mason, you would be outdoors in all weather conditions on building sites, sometimes working at heights on scaffolding.

In both cases, the work can be physically demanding as you would be lifting and carrying heavy materials and equipment.

Income

Starting salaries can be between £15,000 and £18,000 a year. Experienced stonemasons can earn between £20,000 and £33,000 a year.

Overtime and various allowances can significantly increase income. Self-employed stonemasons set their own pay rates.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a stonemason, but employers usually look for people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, you could look for work as a labourer to gain some experience. Once working, your employer may be willing to offer you training in stonemasonry (see the training and development section below).

You may be able to get into this career by completing an Apprenticeship with a building or stonemasonry firm. To get on to a scheme, employers may require GCSEs at grades A-C in subjects like Maths, English and Design and Technology, or qualifications such as the BTEC Level 1 Award/Certificate in Construction, although this is not a requirement of the apprenticeship.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Alternatively, you could take a college course, such as the ConstructionSkills levels 2 and 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry. This would teach you some of the skills needed, although employers may still want to see some site experience. Contact your local college to find out which courses are available.

The Conference on Training in Architectural Conservation (COTAC) website lists courses at all levels.

You can also search for courses on the National Heritage Training Group website.

You may need a driving licence, particularly as a fixer mason, as you will need to travel from job to job.

See the ConstructionSkills website and the Stone Federation website for more careers information.

The Know Your Place campaign aims to promote the construction industry as a career choice for women.

Training and development

Your employer may encourage you to work towards the NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry at levels 1 to 3. If you work on historical buildings and have the right level of experience, you may be encouraged to complete the NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills at Level 3.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

Many building contractors now insist that you have a CSCS card to work on their sites. The card is proof of your skills and competence. To get your card you must:

  • pass a health and safety assessment
  • have an NVQ or equivalent qualification.

If you are working without qualifications, you may be able to use On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) to get your NVQ and card. Contact CSCS for further details. You can also find out more on the ConstructionSkills website:

Traditional Building Skills Bursary Scheme

The Traditional Building Skills Bursary scheme aims to address skills shortages within the traditional crafts and built heritage sector, by offering bursaries and organising work-based training placements for eligible applicants. To find out more about the scheme, eligibility and which placements are available, visit the Traditional Building Skills Bursary Scheme website.

Skills and knowledge

To be a stonemason you should have:

  • the ability to follow architectural plans and drawings
  • a careful approach to work and attention to detail
  • good maths skills for measuring areas accurately
  • good coordination and practical skills for using tools
  • creative skills for decorative aspects of the work
  • a good head for heights if intending to work as a fixer mason
  • an awareness of health and safety
  • the ability to work well as part of a team and on your own
  • a high level of fitness.

More information

Stone Federation Great Britain (Opens new window)
www.stone-federationgb.org.uk

National Heritage Training Group (Opens new window)
www.nhtg.org.uk

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) (Opens new window)
Tel: 0844 576 8777
www.cscs.uk.com

Construction Skills CITB (Opens new window)
Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 0344 994 4400
www.cskills.org

Opportunities

Most openings are with stonemasonry firms, construction companies and building conservation trusts, with a smaller number of opportunities in memorial carving. If you work for a small company, you could be expected to cover both banker and fixing duties.

With experience, you could progress to supervisory jobs like site supervisor or clerk of works, or related areas, such as estimating and construction management. With further training, you could work as a stonemason or bricklaying instructor at a college or training centre. Another option would be to set up your own stonemasonry business.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The construction sector is represented by ConstructionSkills Sector Skills Council. Construction is the creation of the built environment covering all stages of the construction process, from creating the initial ideas and designs to actually building the structure and ensuring that everything continues to work after it is completed. The sector covers the following areas: building infrastructure (such as roads and rail); the building of public and private housing; the construction of public non‐housing (such as schools); industrial building; the construction of commercial premises (such as offices and retail units); together with the repair and maintenance of these constructions.

ConstructionSkills represents every part of the UK construction industry, from architects to bricklayers. The sector employs 2.35 million people, representing over 8% of the UK workforce.

The craft industry covers a whole range of different trades including:

  • Wood occupations – Site Joiner, Shop fitter, Wood Machinist
  • Exterior occupations – Bricklayer, General Construction Operative
  • Interior occupations – Painter and Decorator, Ceiling Fixer
  • Specialist occupations – Thatcher, Roofer, Scaffolder
  • Plant occupations – Plant Mechanic, Plant Operator

Careers in construction craft roles suit people who are practical and are willing to work in a team. Craftspeople can also move into professional and technician roles.

Key facts for the construction sector as a whole:

  • 92% of organisations in the construction sector employ less than 10 people.
  • 55% of the workforce is employed in manual occupations.
  • 37% of the workforce is self‐employed.
  • Much of the workforce is mobile.
  • More than 35% of people in the sector are their own boss running their own companies.

Jobs in the industry range from: bench joiner, wood machinist, built up felt roofer, mastic asphalter, bricklayer, stonemason, dry liner, glazier, renderer, plant operator, demolition

National and regional data

Fewer employers in the East Midlands and West Midlands who had tried to recruit skilled staff had encountered difficulties (9% and 16% respectively); compared with London and Scotland, where two in five employers had experienced recruitment difficulties (40% and 39% respectively).

East Midlands – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,210) and wood trade and interior fit out (800). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; roofers; plant mechanics/fitters; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.

East of England – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (1,000) and plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades (870). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; plant mechanics/fitters; plus electrical trades and installation.

London – The highest requirements are for labourers (640) and plant operatives (510). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; bricklayers; painters and decorators; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

North East – The highest requirements are for labourers (550) and bricklayers (510). There are little or no requirements for: roofers; steel erectors/structural; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

North West – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (620) and floorers (410). There are little or no requirements for: scaffolders; and steel erectors/structural.

South East – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (340), labourers (290) and civil engineering operatives (290). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; electrical trades and installation; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

South West – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,260) and wood trade and interior fit out (350). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

West Midlands – The highest requirements are for labourers (710) and wood trade and interior fit out (640). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; scaffolders; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

Yorkshire and the Humber – The highest requirements are for labourers (540) and floorers (340). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; glaziers; specialist building operatives; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades; plus civil engineering operatives.

Northern Ireland – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (200) and labourers (180). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; steel erectors/structural; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

Scotland – The highest requirements are for plant operatives (1,030) and wood trade and interior fit out (760). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; roofers; floorers; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.

Wales – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (1,170) and labourers (730). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.

[N.B. Data derived from Constructionskills Labour Market Intelligence 2010‐2014.]

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