Mason and Construction Craftsman

Laying bricks and blocks to build walls, columns and foundations; plastering, flooring and tiling; reading drawings and checking levels; mixing mortar and concrete; working in a small team on houses, roads, shops or other buildings.

A day in the work
A mason usually starts early, before the heat builds up, and checks the drawings and levels with the supervisor. Most of the day goes into laying bricks or blocks in straight lines, checking alignment with a spirit level and plumb line, and mixing mortar in small batches. The work is physical, so the body is tired by evening. Many crews end the day by cleaning tools and planning the next day's work.

1. Class 8–10Finish school. The ITI route needs at least a Class 8 pass, and many admissions ask for Class 10. Keep your Maths basics strong for measuring and calculating.
2. After Class 10 (or Class 8)Apply for ITI Mason (Building Constructor) through your state's ITI admission portal. Report to the allotted institute with your original documents. (reported — check with the official body)
3. Year 1 (two semesters)Train in trade practical work, trade theory, workshop maths, drawing and employability skills. You also do project work and 150 hours of on-the-job training or a group project.
4. End of Year 1Pass the trade tests. The minimum pass mark for trade practical and formative assessment is 60%, and you receive the NCVT trade certificate.
5. After ITIWork on sites as a mason or with a contractor and build a record of your work. If you want a formal skill mark, check the CSDCI job roles such as Assistant Mason or Brick Mason.
6. OptionalTake an advanced diploma (vocational) under DGT, or the Craft Instructor training (CITS) in the trade if you later want to teach in an ITI.

• ITI Mason (Building Constructor)A one-year government-run trade course under DGT and NCVT. It gives a recognised trade certificate and is the most structured route.
• Short PMKVY or Skill India courseFree short courses for Mason or Assistant Mason, for those who cannot join ITI or want a quicker start. Availability depends on your district and the training partner (reported; check the Skill India portal).
• Learn on siteMany masons start as helpers and learn from experienced workers. Formal skill certification can be taken later.

Fees from: Government ITI Delhi: fee structure · Government of Assam: ITI admission fees order (2025). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Earnings vary widely. New helpers earn much less than experienced masons who can work on their own, and pay also differs by city, type of project and whether you work for a builder, a contractor or yourself.

Girls get tuition relief in many government ITIs: NSTI institutes exempt girl candidates from tuition and exam fees under CTS courses. The DGT trade lists specific disability categories as eligible, including locomotor disability, hearing impairment, autism and specific learning disability.

• Class 7–9With a parent's permission, visit a local construction site for an hour. Watch how the masons check that a wall is straight, and stay outside the work area.
• Class 10–12Read the DGT Mason (Building Constructor) curriculum to see what a one-year ITI course covers, from safety rules to brick bonds.Open link ↗
• College or afterLook up the Assistant Mason and Brick Mason job roles on the CSDCI qualification packs page to see the skill levels used in the trade.Open link ↗

• The 2026 DGT curriculum lists this trade at NSQF Level 2.5, while an older DGT version lists Level 4. Check the latest notice for the batch you join.
• Masonry does not need a licence the way architects or doctors do. Safety still matters, and the course covers safety gear, fire extinguishers and electrical safety.
• Your earnings depend a lot on your skill and on who you work for, so a certificate and steady site experience matter over time.