Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Apprenticeship | Construction, Architecture & Property Sector Apprenticeship

The Trade of a Stonecutter and Stonemason services the following areas:

Stonecutting
Extraction and Processing
Conservation and Restoration

The work carried out by a Stonecutter and Stonemason is wide and varied. It encompasses a range of skills, from the extraction and process of stone, to carving, restoration, and monumental work.

To view the brochure for Stone Cutter/Stone Mason Apprenticeship, click on the image above.

View details from Apprenticeship.ie

View Occupation Profile from Apprenticeship.ie

To view full details of this occupation, view information from our Careers database for the following occupation: Stonecutting & Stonemasonry

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.

The minimum educational requirements are:

Grade D or "Achieved" in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,

or

The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course,

or

Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

Please note: To become an apprentice you may need to pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). For further information, contact your local Education and Training Board.

You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.

Note: These are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential:

Art
Technical Drawing/Graphics
Construction Studies
Technology
Mathematics

Phase 1: With Employer

Induction Training
Introduction to Health & Safety
Introduction to Tools & Equipment
Introduction to Basic Skills

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (26 weeks)

Course Content:

Induction
Banker Stonecutting
The stone built environment
Technical drawing & craft calculations
Fabrication and fixing
Lettering techniques
Stone carving
Conservation

Phase 3: With Employer

Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

The stone built environment
Technical drawing & craft calculations
Science and technology
Banker stonecutting
Fabrication and fixing
Lettering techniques
Relief carving Conservation

Phase 5: With Employer

Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

Engraving and carving
Fixing
Conservation and restoration
Ecclesiastical architecture

Phase 7: With Employer

Work Based Training and Assessments

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.

On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Stonecutting & Stonemasonry.

Training is provided by the following institutions:

As a Stonecutter and Stonemason you will need to have good eye/hand coordination and good dexterity. Stonecutters and Stonemasons need strong practical skills and a logoical, well-organised and thorough approach to their work. They also need the ability to follow technical drawings. You must be able to work safely in a hazardous environment.

The environment is often noisy and can be dangerous, so you need to be careful when using equipment and machinery.

Physical fitness is necessary as the work involves a great deal of bending, kneeling, standing, heavy lifting and working in cramped and awakward spaces.

You must enjoy seeing a job through from start to finish.

The Stonecutter and Stonemason must also have the ability to:

Plan and organise
Communicate effectively
Solve problems
Work independently and as part of a team
Show a positive attitude
Recognise the need for good customer relations
Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry specialists work in a cross-section of domains within the overall craft such as:

Cutting stone with hand tools and stonecutting machinery
Interpreting technical drawings and diagrams
Stonecutting, stone finishing, monumental stone engraving, lettering techniques, stone carving, decorating and restoring stone
Mechanical fixing and coping stones for piers
Conservation and restoration of stone
Extracting and quarrying techniques

Aspects of Work

Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Understanding drawings and diagrams
Working outdoors
Using tools or machinery
Accuracy and attention to detail
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Working at heights
Lifting or carrying heavy items.
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time.
Being physically active
Stretching, bending and kneeling
Working in cramped and awkward spaces
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.

Apprenticeships available here.

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company. By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience. Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age. Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.

Career Progression Useful Links:

Educational Supports:

On completion of an apprenticeship your educational progression options may be offered as full awards on the NFQ levels 7-10 National Framework . You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:

On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you:

Local Enterprise Offices For profit Local enterprise support
Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
Social entrepreneurs Not-for-profit enterprise support
Franchising Developing your business under an established franchise

To become an apprentice in Ireland, you must first be hired by an employer.

Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and employer in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship .

Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Apprenticeship brochure

Training is provided by the following institutions:

Contact your local ETB for more details on off-the-job training .

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn.

Employment Salary (On-the-job)
The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

Training Allowance (Off-the-job)
A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid.

The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The hourly rates and weekly gross wage norms in the construction industry are listed below.

Weekly Gross Wage Norms