Apprentice Stonemason

Job Title / Apprentice Stonemason
Salary Grade / Band 10 £16,767
Working Hours / 39 hours per week
Section/Team / Stonemasons
Reporting to / Master Mason
Reporting to job holder / N/A
Date of issue / April 2016
Overall Purpose of Post
To learn the art and practices of Stonemasonry via a structured 3 year apprenticeship including:
  • In the first year working towards a NVQ3 Heritage Skills ( or an alternative structured training plan in the case this qualification was already achieved)
  • In the second and third year( Level 4 and level 5) completion of the Cathedral’s Workshop Fellowship Foundation Degree with Gloucestershire University.
  • As an enthusiastic ambassador for Gloucester Cathedral and its Heritage to promote the Heritage Craft of Stonemasonry to a wide audience.

Health and Safety
It is a general duty of all Cathedral staff to ensure they are familiar with the Health and Safety Policy and to adhere to it at all times.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities / Nature and Scope of Role
1 / Under the direction of the Master Mason and his team of senior masons, to learn the craft of a stonemason, working towards the award NVQ3 in Stonemasonry in the first year, and Cathedral’s Workshop Fellowship Foundation Degree (Fd) in the second and third years. / This includes progressing through the training modules within the Apprenticeship scheme, which are:
  • setting out and geometry
  • archaeology
  • basic project management
  • conservation
  • structural engineering
  • carving
  • architectural history
  • stone fixing
  • geology
  • attendance at residential courses

2 / To assist in carrying out general maintenance and specific project work on the Cathedral’s masonry /
  • working under the direction of the Master Mason as part of the Stonemason team on Cathedral projects
  • applying the knowledge learnt on the course to actual work on the building

3 / To learn the use of dedicated stone cutting and lifting equipment /
  • specialist additional training courses to be attended

4 / To deliver outreach sessions, events, and open days/demonstrations to a range of audiences /
  • this will be co-ordinated and supported by the Visitor Experience Manager and Community Engagement Manager with Stonemason demonstrating techniques and answering questions (including about training)

5 / To attend best practice courses and events including visits to other Cathedrals and local craft courses /
  • including as part of the Cathedral Workshop Fellowship and any other training actions part of an agreed structured training plan.

6 / To work at heights when required /
  • including the use of ladders and scaffolding

7 / To be familiar with and abide by the Cathedral’s Health & Safety policy at all times, including undergoing necessary training and updates on practices and the use of equipment /
  • including the timely reporting of any breaches of Health and Safety regulations to the Master or Senior Masons

8 / To assist the Maintenance Team when required /
  • including working under the direction of the Master Mason on occasional tasks around the Cathedral or precincts which require extra labour (e.g. for the physical movement of heavy objects)

Person Specification

Attributes / Essential / Desirable
General / Understanding of the purpose of the Cathedral in our community both in terms of Heritage and worship. /
  • understanding of the Cathedral’s position in British medieval architecture.
  • be in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Cathedral

Qualifications and Training /
  • Level 3 Diploma in stone masonry or equivalent level of experience
  • good general education
  • aptitude towards working with stone
/
  • GCSE in Design Technology

Experience / Having completed the basic first part of apprenticeship with level 2 and level 3 (or equivalent experience) /
  • work experience within stonemasonry or building
  • experience of talking to small groups regarding masonry or other crafts

Knowledge, skills and abilities /
  • able to work at heights
  • able to read technical drawings

Personal Qualities /
  • attention to detail, meticulous
  • passionate about medieval architecture and stonework
  • physically fit
  • enthusiasm for working with stone
  • Excellent understanding of 2 and 3D Geometry
  • reliable
  • team player
  • excellent communication skills