Bricklayer's Assistant Course (NQF 1) in South Africa
The Bricklayer's Assistant Skills Programme gives you the practical and theoretical foundation to support a qualified bricklayer on site. You learn to prepare the work area, read drawings, set out and excavate foundation trenches, mix mortar, lay bricks, carry out basic finishing and keep the site clean and safe.
It's registered at NQF Level 1 with 45 credits, and it is an open access programme with no formal entry requirement. It is a skills programme, not a full trade qualification: on completion you can carry out basic bricklaying operations under the supervision of a skilled artisan, and it prepares you for a higher-level skills programme. Delivered from Wheelset Academy's Pretoria and Kempton Park branches.
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What the Bricklayer's Assistant course covers
The 45-credit programme is built from 6 knowledge modules (12 credits) and 4 practical skill modules (33 credits). Each module is assessed against defined internal assessment criteria.
Knowledge modules · 12 credits
- Industry Contexts (1 credit)
- Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction (3 credits)
- Tools, Equipment, Materials and Workshop Practice (1 credit)
- Building Drawings Interpretation (2 credits)
- Bricklaying and Concrete Work Theory (4 credits)
- Communication Theory (1 credit)
Practical skill modules · 33 credits
- Conduct preparatory activities for building, repairs and/or alteration to structures using bricks (face and plaster), NQF 1, 6 credits
- Lay different types of bricks using mortar to build superstructures and decorative structures, NQF 2, 15 credits
- Conduct finishing operation, NQF 1, 6 credits
- Conduct housekeeping and waste removal activities, NQF 1, 6 credits
This is a skills programme, not a full qualification. It prepares you to carry out basic bricklaying operations under the supervision of a skilled artisan.
Practise the work before you do it on site
The practical modules are practised within a simulated work environment. Each one is built around the tasks an assistant is expected to carry out, from setting out foundations to cleaning up at the end of a shift.
Foundations and preparation
Clear and prepare the work area, read and interpret drawings, excavate foundation trenches, set up levelling pegs and cast concrete foundations.
Laying and building
Lay face and plaster brick in solid and cavity construction, build walls and ancillary walls, and set up doorframes, window frames, lintels and arches.
Finishing and housekeeping
Conduct jointing, pointing and bagging, then keep the workplace clean and manage housekeeping and waste removal.
Practical bricklaying tasks, from mortar to finished wall
- Read and interpret drawings, specifications, symbols and layouts
- Determine the number and type of bricks needed for given dimensions
- Identify grid lines and set up profiles to position the structure
- Install levelling pegs, cast concrete foundations and build foundation walling
- Backfill, compact and level hardcore, lay a waterproofing membrane and cast a concrete slab
- Mix mortar to the correct ratios and consistency for different bricks and sand, and use bonding agents
- Erect and dismantle a system scaffold, a trestle scaffold, an extension ladder and use a step ladder safely
- Build walls, install damp proof course, build in door frames and window frames, and build gable walls and beam filling
- Conduct jointing, pointing and bagging, and select the correct tools for the finish required
- Monitor cleanliness, carry out housekeeping and waste removal, and store housekeeping equipment
Bricklayer's Assistant skills programme vs. a full bricklaying qualification
Both routes have a place. Use this to work out which one matches what you need right now.
| Consideration | Bricklayer's Assistant Skills Programme | Full bricklaying qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Formal status | NQF Level 1 skills programme, 45 credits. Not a full qualification. | A full qualification leading to trade recognition. |
| Entry | Open access | Set by the qualification itself |
| Scope of work | Basic bricklaying operations under the supervision of a skilled artisan | Independent bricklaying work across the trade |
| Best suited to | Learners who want to start on site as an assistant and build a foundation for further study | Learners who want full trade recognition |
If you're not sure which fits your situation, contact admissions before applying — see the contact details below.
Verify this programme yourself
Page information reviewed: 4 October 2026.
Curriculum code 900016-000-00-00
The programme is registered at NQF Level 1 with 45 credits, quality assured by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Confirm the current registration and enrolment status directly with QCTO and Wheelset Academy admissions before applying, rather than relying on any provider's word, including this page.
The programme's requirements also set out the accreditation conditions Wheelset Academy must meet: practical training by a qualified bricklayer artisan with at least 5 years' relevant experience, a trainer-to-learner ratio of 1 to 12 for practical modules, and a facilitator-to-learner ratio of 1 to 24 for knowledge modules.
Check QCTO accreditation · Wheelset Academy accreditations page
Where this programme can take you
The programme is designed to feed into the industry as a Bricklayer's Assistant. Its stated progression is a skills programme at a higher level, so it can be a first step into bricklaying and construction work.
- Bricklayer's Assistant
- Site support under a skilled artisan
- Higher-level skills programme
Job titles vary by employer and experience. A skills programme supports career preparation but does not guarantee a specific title, salary or appointment.
Bricklayer's Assistant course FAQs
What is the Bricklayer's Assistant course?
It's a skills programme registered at NQF Level 1 with 45 credits. It builds the practical and theoretical skills to support a qualified bricklayer: preparing the work area, reading drawings, setting out foundations, mixing mortar, laying brick, finishing joints and keeping the site clean and safe.
Is this a full bricklaying qualification?
No. It is a skills programme, not a full qualification. On completion you can carry out basic bricklaying operations under the supervision of a skilled artisan.
What are the entry requirements?
The programme is open access, so there is no formal entry requirement. Confirm any documentation requirements directly with Wheelset Academy admissions.
How many credits does the programme carry?
45 credits in total: 12 from the knowledge modules and 33 from the practical skill modules. Wheelset Academy has not published a fixed programme duration yet, so confirm the intake structure with admissions.
What will I do in the practical modules?
You practise bricklaying in a simulated work environment. Tasks include clearing and preparing the work area, excavating foundation trenches, installing levelling pegs, casting concrete foundations, mixing mortar, laying face and plaster brick, building doorframes and window frames, erecting access equipment, jointing and pointing, and housekeeping.
Which safety topics are covered?
The Health and Safety module covers hazard identification, the legislation and codes that apply to construction, and basic first aid, including recognising visible vital signs and controlling serious bleeding. Safe use of access equipment such as scaffolding and ladders is also assessed.
Which tools and materials will I learn to use?
You learn to identify, use, clean and store hand and power tools, and to plan, select and procure materials and equipment. You also learn the properties of bricklaying and concrete materials, and how to handle, store and dispose of them safely.
Who quality-assures this programme?
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is the assessment quality partner for this programme.
Can this lead to a bricklaying qualification?
Yes, indirectly. The programme's stated progression is a skills programme at a higher level. It doesn't guarantee a specific job title or trade status, so check the options with admissions. Wheelset Academy also offers a Bricklayer Course, which is a full qualification.
How do I apply?
Review the current fees and intake information, then submit your application through Wheelset Academy's online application page. Admissions can confirm the programme duration and assess your documents before registration is finalised.
Ready to start as a bricklayer's assistant?
Apply for the Bricklayer's Assistant course, or compare it against Wheelset Academy's other trade programmes first.
Programme information reviewed: 4 October 2026. The curriculum code, NQF level, credit values and entry requirement above reflect the registered programme. The duration is not yet confirmed. Fees, intakes, delivery mode and registration status can change and should be confirmed with Wheelset Academy before enrolment.