As a result of this, the opportunity to become a bricklayer apprentice is at an all time high and with an ageing bricklaying workforce, new workers are needed now more than ever.

According to the Australian Brick and Block Training Foundation (ABBTF) CEO Michael Morrissey, bricklayers are key to avoiding construction delays, reduce costs to the housing and development market and improve the quality of the bricklaying work being completed.

"If not enough of the younger generation step up before current bricklayers retire, this will hurt the industry," Mr Morrisey said.

"And if the older generation have no one to pass their knowledge onto, this will affect the quality of the trade for the long term."

Ex Brick Layer and Owner of Griffith Bricks and Pavers Robert Vardanega said that the career was very rewarding with plenty opportunities.

"Many young people don't like the idea of working on apprentice wages, or think the labour involved is too difficult, but the trade will pay for itself and it is very much worth sticking it out in the long run," Mr Vardanega said.

"Nobody wants to work with their hands anymore, most bricklayers I know are looking to retire but have no one to hand over the reigns too.

If we don't have more young workers take up the trade, there will be no skilled workers left."

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Local bricklayer Jordon Burley shares this sentiment, saying that whilst the trade was 'physically demanding work', it was worth sticking through in the long run and got easier with experience.

"The physical aspect turns many potential apprentices away," Mr Burley said.

According to Mr Burley, his father Craig, another local bricklayer of over 30 years had only seen a handful of would be bricklayers finish up their full three year apprenticeship.

"Many start and don't finish their apprenticeships unfortunately," Mr Burley said.

"New apprentices are key to keeping up with the workload to support the construction industry and I would encourage young people in our community looking for a rewarding career to look into a bricklaying apprenticeship," Mr Burley said.

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