Hiring and Sponsoring Bricklayers (SOC Code 5313)

Bricklayers, classified under SOC Code 5313, are essential skilled tradespeople who construct and repair walls, floors, and other structures using bricks and other materials. Their work plays a crucial role in the construction and building industries. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Examine drawings, photographs, and specifications to accurately determine job requirements.
• Measure construction site dimensions and lay out the initial lines of bricks for wall positioning.
• Mix and spread mortar on both foundations and bricks to ensure proper adhesion.
• Place, level, and align bricks within the mortar bed to form sturdy walls.
• Use hand and power tools to shape and trim bricks for precise fitting and finishing.

With the ongoing demand for construction projects in the UK, especially in urban areas, skilled bricklayers are increasingly sought after. Many construction firms and contractors are looking to fill positions that require expertise and experience. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the complexities of hiring and sponsoring bricklayers under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Bricklayers?

SOC Code 5313 refers to bricklayers who specialize in the construction and repair of walls, chimneys, and other structures using bricks, blocks, and similar materials. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining project specifications: Analyzing drawings, photographs, and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Measuring and laying out: Measuring the construction site and marking the first lines of bricks to establish the position of walls.
• Mixing and applying mortar: Mixing and spreading mortar on foundations and bricks to ensure proper adhesion.
• Placing and aligning bricks: Carefully placing, leveling, and aligning bricks within the mortar bed and walls to achieve a stable structure.
• Using tools: Operatively utilizing both hand and power tools to shape, trim, and finish bricks according to project needs.

Bricklayers are essential in the construction industry, contributing to the structural integrity and aesthetic quality of buildings and other structures.

Eligibility to Hire Bricklayers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Bricklayers must possess specific skills and qualifications to effectively carry out their responsibilities on construction sites. These may include:

• Blueprint comprehension: Ability to read and interpret drawings, photographs, and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Measurements: Proficient in measuring construction sites accurately and laying out the first lines of bricks to establish the position of walls.
• Mortar mixing and application: Skills in mixing and spreading mortar on foundations and bricks to ensure proper adhesion.
• Bricklaying techniques: Competence in placing, leveling, and aligning bricks within a mortar bed and in wall construction.
• Tool proficiency: Experience using both hand and power tools for shaping and trimming bricks efficiently.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 5313 and that the bricklayer’s experience and skills meet the necessary expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Bricklayers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Bricklayers under SOC Code 5313.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Bricklayers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Bricklayers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Bricklayers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Bricklayers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Bricklayers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Bricklayers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Bricklayers

Before the Bricklayers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Bricklayers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Bricklayers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Bricklayers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Bricklayers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Bricklayerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Bricklayers

Sponsoring Bricklayers under SOC Code 5313 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Bricklayers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Bricklayers under SOC Code 5313 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.