Description:
The job of stonemason has been around for thousands of years. A stonemason builds stone walls, as well as puts stones on the outside of buildings and in floors. They work with two types of stone - natural stone, like marble or granite and artificial stone, like concrete. The walls they build will be needed for many years to come.
Duties:
• Apply and smooth mortar over a work surface.
• Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using a trowel, hammer, or power saw.
• Use blueprints and drawings to know what to build.
• Take measurements for building with the bricks or stones.
Where and When:
• Brick masons and stonemasons work outdoors in all types of weather.
• They stand, kneel, and bend for a long time.
• They move heavy materials.
• They may get hurt by falling or get hurt by using tools.
• Many of these workers are self-employed.
What or Who They Work With:
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Measuring tape or chain
• Saws (sometimes with diamond blades!)
• Concrete
• Sand
Education and Training:
• People in this job usually start as a helper or assistant to a stonemason, learn about the job and get better at it, and then become a stonemason.
• Some people start in a registered apprenticeship program or take a program at a technical school.
• It takes about 3-4 years as a helper or apprentice before you can become a stonemason.
Similar Jobs:
- Concrete Mason
- Plasterer
- Terrazzo Worker
- Tilesetter
Related School Subjects:
• Math
• Art
• Science
• Masonry program in high school
Print:
Dot to Dot Tools
Measure Up
Make a Book: Building
Read:
TOBY BOLAND AND THE BLACKSTONE CANAL by Thomas L. Rooney
THE ROAD BUILDERS by B.G. Hennessy
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO WORK ON THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE! by Ratliff, Salariya, and Bergin
IGGY PECK, ARCHITECT by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
BUILDING by Elisha Cooper
ROADWORK! by Sall Sutton and Brian Lovelock
HOW A HOUSE IS BUILT by Gail Gibbons
MACHINES AT WORK BOARD BOOK by Byron Barton
A KID'S GUIDE TO BUILDING FORTS
SKYSCRAPERS!: SUPER STRUCTURES TO DESIGN & BUILD by Carl A. Johmann and Michael P. Kline
THE TUNNEL BUILDERS by James E. Kelly
THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION: PROJECTS AND PRINCIPLES FOR BEGINNING ENGINEERS & ARCHITECTS by Mario Salvadori
Explore:
Construction Depot
Bob the Builder
Sources:
VA Career VIEW Career Search
