The inaugural course took place last month at Rawlplug’s Reading-based training centre with ABC members and employers attending the course.

The course is in response to a critical gap in the industry’s training for bricklayers and emphasises competency and safety in bricklaying, aiming to equip bricklayers with the essential skills and knowledge needed on site.

Richard Brealey, Managing Director at Vision Construction – the first to have trialled the course – said: “Participating in the new Masonry Fixings Course was a game-changer for our team.

“The hands-on approach and expert instruction provided us with invaluable skills and insights that will significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of our projects. This course addresses a critical need in the industry, and I highly recommend it to any professional looking to advance their masonry expertise.”

CEO of the ABC, Eve Livett, added: “I am super excited to have launched the Masonry Fixings Course alongside Rawlplug and Grayson. This groundbreaking programme really does mark a significant milestone within the industry as a whole. The ABC is deeply committed to supporting both current industry professionals and the next generation and I believe this course will help us to achieve this.”

Tony Higson, Managing Director at Grayson, said: “Here at Grayson, we are all super proud to have collaborated with the ABC and Rawlplug to launch this course. What a huge step forward for the industry – by equipping bricklayers with the crucial skills and knowledge they require, we are taking a decisive step towards enhancing safety and quality across construction sites.”

Pietro Grandesso, Managing Director of Rawlplug UK, added: “We are thrilled to have hosted the very first Masonry Fixings Course at our Reading training centre. The positive feedback from participants proves just how essential this course is in providing bricklayers with practical skills that translate directly to safer and more efficient practices.”

Interested participants can book a space on the course via the ABC’s online booking system. The course fee is set at £220 per person for a one-day session, £140 of which can be claimed back through CITB.