At our latest Masonry Association of Great Britain Technical Committee meeting, I also gave members an update on some of the wider work happening across MAGB and The National Masonry Academy — from apprenticeships and competence to our growing involvement with government, CITB, NHBC and the wider housebuilding industry.
There was a common thread running through all of it: if we want masonry to have a strong future, we need to be actively involved in shaping what that future looks like.
Building the next generation
A big part of the discussion was the work being delivered through The National Masonry Academy, particularly our new masonry apprenticeship programme.
We have designed the programme around what we believe learners need to give them the best possible start in the industry — combining structured training, practical experience and strong links with employers and the wider masonry supply chain.
Our first block has now been completed, and it has been fantastic to see the learners developing over those first two weeks. It is a reminder that investing in skills isn’t simply about filling vacancies; it is about making sure the people coming into our industry understand the craft, the materials, the tools and the standards expected of them.
For an industry that continues to talk about skills shortages, we need to be prepared to do more than talk about the problem. We need to create the pathways into masonry and make sure those pathways lead to genuine competence.
Competence in High-Risk Buildings
Another important area of discussion was competence, particularly in relation to high-risk buildings and what this means for the masonry sector.
The Bricklaying Competency Framework continues to be an important part of that conversation.
What is particularly encouraging is that we are now seeing the framework being recognised and adopted by housebuilders. That is significant because competence cannot simply be something discussed by training providers or industry bodies — it needs to become part of how the industry actually procures, manages and demonstrates competent work.
For MAGB, this is an area where we want to continue pushing the conversation forward.
The Building Safety Act has changed the environment in which construction operates, and the expectations around competence, evidence and accountability are only going to become more important.
Our role is to make sure that masonry is part of that conversation, rather than having standards and processes developed around us and then being expected to adapt afterwards.
Making sure masonry has a voice
I also updated members on the work taking place through the various boards, committees and expert groups where MAGB is now represented.
We are increasingly getting masonry into rooms where decisions are being discussed at government, CITB and industry level.
That includes our involvement with CITB, our engagement with government and our participation in the NHBC Expert Panel.
These opportunities matter because they give us a chance to bring the realities of masonry into wider industry conversations — whether that is around skills, competence, training, quality, standards or the practical challenges faced on site.
One of the things I have always wanted MAGB to do is make sure that the masonry sector has a collective voice.
Not simply when there is a problem, but proactively — contributing to the conversations that will shape how our industry operates in the years ahead.
MasterCraft – celebrating what our industry can do
We also talked about MasterCraft – The Churchill Cup, which is fast becoming one of the most exciting events on our calendar.
The competition is about much more than simply building a brickwork model. It is about creativity, craftsmanship, problem-solving and giving some of the industry’s best craftspeople an opportunity to showcase what they can do.
And importantly, it gives the wider industry the opportunity to see masonry craftsmanship in a completely different setting.
There is a huge amount of talent within our industry, and we need to celebrate it.
Events like MasterCraft, alongside the Guild of Bricklayers Annual Conference and the other events we are developing, are part of that bigger picture — bringing people together, creating opportunities to share knowledge and giving masonry the profile it deserves.
There is a lot happening
Looking across everything MAGB and NMA are now involved in, it is quite remarkable how much has developed.
Apprenticeships. Competence. High-risk buildings. Government engagement. CITB. NHBC. Training. Technical guidance. Industry events. Craft competitions. Skills.
These might seem like very different areas of work, but they are all connected.
They are about building a stronger, more competent and more resilient masonry sector.
We can’t predict exactly what the construction industry will look like in five, ten or twenty years. Technology will change, regulation will change, the way we train people will change and the way buildings are designed and constructed will continue to evolve.
What we can do is make sure that masonry is represented in those conversations, that our workforce is prepared for change, and that the people coming into the industry have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
That is what MAGB is here to do.
And judging by the conversations happening around the table, there is a real appetite from our members to be part of it.
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