Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary

Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.

The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the skills and knowledge which support each sub-task of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile.

• Reading

  Bricklayers require strong reading skills to read a variety of documentation such as job specifications, manufacturers’ directions for product preparation and application, jobsite, company and jurisdictional safety requirements, and correspondence from suppliers and contractors.

• Document use

  Bricklayers interpret blueprints, read assembly drawings and make sketches of items to be built. They complete forms such as time sheets, incident reports, request for information (RFI), personal safety information (PSI) and field level risk assessments (FLRA).

• Writing

  Bricklayers use writing skills to complete documents such as lists of materials, incident reports, and time sheets. They may correspond in writing with co-workers regarding supplies or work to be done.

• Oral communication

  Bricklayers talk with suppliers, delivery personnel, customers and co-workers, and co-ordinate activities with other trades. They give directions to apprentices, liaise with supervisors and participate in meetings.

• Numeracy

  Bricklayers measure the length, height and width of structures to be built and calculate angles of arches when constructing openings. They estimate mix ratios by weight and volume. Bricklayers estimate the amount of time and material required to complete a job.

• Thinking

  Bricklayers use problem solving skills to address issues that may arise on the job such as design changes or omissions. Bricklayers plan the materials and equipment they need for a job and schedule tasks according to priority, sequence and to meet the needs of other trades on site.

• Working with others

  Bricklayers usually work in a team environment although they may work alone on some jobs. Many jobs are done with a fellow worker. Therefore, they must cooperate and coordinate with others to ensure consistent work. Bricklayers may perform supervisory functions and guide or monitor the work performance of others.

• Digital technology

  Bricklayers may use digital devices to complete numeracy related tasks and to communicate with others. They may access online information posted by suppliers and manufacturers to stay current on industry trends and practices. Bricklayers may also access databases to retrieve forms such as change orders and to retrieve architectural drawings. Bricklayers may use computer controlled layout equipment such as surveying equipment and smart levels to measure distances and horizontal and vertical angles of brick structures.

• Continuous learning

  Bricklayers learn continuously through experience and creativity on the job. They may attend sessions provided by manufacturers of new products. Bricklayers may also attend specialty in-person or online courses, for example safety or hardscaping with bricks, blocks and stone, or reference pamphlets, booklets or manuals on specific topics. Bricklayers may need to expand their skills by getting additional certifications such as scaffold building, welding, hoisting and rigging and confined space.