Stonemason

Categories: General/Trade Assistant, Stone Mason

Trade Assistant or Apprenticeship
Also known as: Stone Fixers, Lettercutter, Stonemason – Machinist.

Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry (stonework for cemeteries). In some States, stonemasonry is divided into various occupations, the major ones being stonemason machinist, lettercutter and stone fixer. Stonemasons often work in a noisy environment.

To be a Stonemason you need to enjoy outdoor, practical work, be physically fit, and be able to work with your hands.  You also need to have an aptitude for technical drawing. An ability to work with computers is also an advantage.

Typical Duties

• cut and shape stone using a machine or hand tools, taking into account the characteristics of the stone being used,
• cut and polish granite and marble (e.g for use in kitchen bench tops and bathroom vanity units),
• design, cut and carve monumental masonry (e.g memorial tablets and statue bases) using templates and a variety of chisels, punches and hammers,
• cut lettering into stonework by marking out the letters and then cutting or chiselling them with hand-held tools or sandblasting equipment,
• construct walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks,
• lay stone paving, granite or marble floor tiles,
• fix stone facades to buildings, and
• repair and replace stonework on old buildings, churches and monuments.

All construction workers need a White Card and Asbestos Awareness Training to work on a construction site in the ACT.

Check with your RTO to see if you are eligible for an ACT Training Fund Authority Subsidy, or if you are eligible to do an Apprenticeship.

RTOs that deliver training for Stonemason’s in the ACT:

Bricklayer Training Australia (BTA)