Skills for Success (Essential Skills) Summary
Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.
Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.
For full descriptions of the Skills for Success including their components and proficiency levels see: Skill components and proficiency levels – Canada.ca.
The following summarizes how such skills are used in this trade. Note that the summaries below are based on the previous model (Essential Skills), and will be adapted in the next iteration of the Red Seal Occupational Standard to match the Skills for Success model.
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.