National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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7232 - Bricklayers and insulators

This minor group comprises bricklayers and insulators. They are employed by construction companies and bricklaying contractors; or they may be self-employed.

72320 - Bricklayers

Bricklayers lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone and other similar materials to construct or repair walls, arches, chimneys, fireplaces and other structures in accordance with blueprints and specifications. They are employed by construction companies and bricklaying contractors or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice bricklayer
    • bricklayer
    • brickmason
    • refractory bricklayer
    • stonecutter
    • stonemason

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Bricklayer supervisor (See 72014 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
    • Concrete finishers (See 73100 Concrete finishers)
    • Tilesetters (See 73101 Tilesetters)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required
    • Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools
    • Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and similar materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures in residential, industrial and commercial construction
    • Lay bricks or other masonry units to build residential or commercial chimneys and fireplaces
    • Lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys
    • Lay or install firebricks to line industrial chimneys and smokestacks
    • Line or reline furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, refractory concretes, plastic refractories and other materials
    • Lay bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing to walls or other surfaces
    • Construct and install prefabricated masonry units
    • Lay bricks or other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations
    • May restore, clean or paint existing masonry structures.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in bricklaying is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for bricklayers is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Yukon.
    • Trade certification for stonemasons is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • Trade certification for restoration stone masons is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified bricklayers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

72321 - Insulators

Insulators apply insulation materials to plumbing, air-handling, heating, cooling and refrigeration systems, piping equipment and pressure vessels, and walls, floors and ceilings of buildings and other structures, to prevent or reduce the passage of heat, cold, sound or fire. They are employed by construction companies and insulation contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • boiler and pipe insulator
    • building insulator
    • firestopping insulator
    • heat and frost insulator
    • insulation applicator
    • insulation mechanic
    • insulator
    • insulator apprentice
    • sound insulator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Insulation supervisor (See 72014 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Read and interpret drawings and specifications to determine insulation requirements and select type of insulation required
    • Measure and cut insulating material to required dimensions using hand and power tools
    • Apply and secure insulation using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping, taping and other application and installation methods
    • Fit insulation around obstructions and between studs and joists
    • Install vapour barriers
    • Apply waterproofing cement over insulating materials to finish surfaces
    • Remove asbestos or urea-formaldehyde insulation from buildings when required.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in insulating is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for insulators (heat and frost) is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified insulators (heat and frost) upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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