Stonemasonry Apprenticeships Level 2

The UK construction industry makes a vital contribution to the economy. However, there is a skills shortage in the industry and this work-based course ensures that staff needs meet national standards. Stonemasonry is a specialist craft and as a Stonemason, you would use your skills to carve architectural features, cut and shape blocks, or lay and fit stonework into place on construction projects. 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.

• Health and safety to include Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Manual Handling and Working at Height Regulations, use of PPE etc.
• Select, use and maintain tools, components and equipment appropriate to the task being carried out
• Interpret the appropriate work plan for the job, taking into account factors such as building age, listed status, accessibility, quality of surrounding structures, other trades in the work area, customers and related legislation and regulations
• Identify and confirm masonry requirements against surveys, job sheets, specifications and drawings/CAD, and in accordance with Building Regulations
• Locate, handle, store, load, transport and position materials and tools safely, minimising damage ready for installation and where applicable, in accordance with health and safety regulations
• Produce or repair standard architectural enrichments, prepare backgrounds to receive masonry and to set out basic masonry on buildings/structures

• Make moulds and templates in order to produce standard and bespoke stonemasonry components as required and conserve or restore stonemasonry, brickwork or earthen structures.

• Prepare backgrounds to receive stone cladding and set out basic external stonemasonry on heritage buildings/structures and conserve or restore existing stonemasonry, brickwork or earthen structures on Heritage Structures using appropriate heritage techniques and following conservation ethics and procedures.

Stonemason apprentices attend College on block release which is for 2 weeks per term approximately and work for their employer for the rest of the time. If required Functional Skills are delivered as a separate block release.

Continual assessment will take place throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. If required, the Functional Skills are assessed through on-line tests

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) will comprise of:

Observation with questioning that will last 4 hours, 45 minutes

60-minute interview based on your portfolio of evidence