Is Stonemasonry one of the Forgotten Construction Trade Jobs?

There are many construction trade jobs that require a lot of training and aptitude but some skills may have been forgotten about. Take for example stonemasonry, which some will have thought was an old fashioned profession rarely in demand in 21st century Britain.

Interestingly though construction trade jobs such as stonemasonry are still in demand, particularly in large cities across the UK. There is a real shortage of traditional craft skills in this country and therefore trades like stonemasonry may well be worth job seekers looking in to.

There are no specific entry requirements to train as a stonemason but it is expected that candidates would have in an interest in subjects such as technical drawing, design and technology or woodwork. GCSEs in mathematics and English are also considered helpful as well as other construction related qualifications.

Interested people can check the National Heritage Training Group or the Stone Federation Great Britain websites for courses offered in this country. A good way of getting a foot in the door is to apply for an apprenticeship which can last three or four years and lead to NVQ qualifications.

Sometimes stonemasons can be required to travel long distances in the UK, so a full driving licence is also very desirable. Most job opportunities are with stonemasonry firms, construction companies and building conservation trusts, although some stonemasons work as self-employed contractors.

Anyone interested in construction trade jobs may like to consider professions such as stonemasonry. Job satisfaction must be key factor for people entering the trade, especially if they are lucky enough to work on historic buildings.