Stonemason

As a stonemason, you'll work with materials like sandstone, limestone, slate, marble and granite.

On a job, you could:

• carve, dress and polish stone blocks in a workshop, using hand and power tools
• build walls and lay paved flooring and paths following design plans
• repair damaged stonework on old buildings and monuments
• carve or repair architectural features, statues and memorial headstones
• make and fit stonework like window frames, archways and ornamental garden pieces

• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of maths
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

With experience, you could become a site supervisor or specialise in heritage conservation.

You could also move into related areas like:

• estimating
• construction management
• skills training at a further education college or training centre

In time, you might set up your own stonemasonry business.