COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Workplace Coaching for Brick & Blocklaying Apprentices course. This training has been designed to equip you with the coaching skills, communication strategies, and onsite instructional methods needed to support the professional growth of apprentices in real-world construction environments.
Workplace coaching is distinct from traditional supervision or classroom training. This course begins by defining the specific role of a workplace coach in guiding apprentices towards trade competency, safe work habits, and long-term career development. Structured coaching allows experienced bricklayers to transfer essential knowledge and skills while building trust, confidence, and accountability in newer workers.
Apprentices bring varied learning needs and backgrounds to the jobsite. This section explores the progression from beginner to competent tradesperson and highlights the typical challenges faced in the early stages of apprenticeship—including low confidence, knowledge gaps, or difficulty adjusting to the pace of work. You’ll also learn how to adapt your coaching to suit different learning styles and generational preferences.
Creating a safe and inclusive learning environment is foundational to effective coaching. This section outlines how to model respect, professionalism, and a positive attitude onsite. You’ll learn how to build rapport with apprentices, create space for open questions, and foster a supportive environment where learning through practice is encouraged.
Coaching must be planned around real work activities. This section explains how to align coaching topics with onsite jobs, schedule teaching moments within the workday, and set clear learning goals for each session. You’ll learn how to integrate structured learning into the natural flow of a bricklaying worksite.
Clear communication is essential to effective skill transfer. This section focuses on how to deliver instructions using job-relevant language, explain technical concepts clearly, and maintain two-way dialogue to check for understanding. You’ll also learn how to adjust your coaching language depending on experience level and task complexity.
Trade skills must be demonstrated accurately and safely. This section provides guidance on how to model brick and blocklaying techniques—including mortar mixing, joint finishing, cleaning, and the correct use of spirit levels, trowels, and string lines. You’ll also learn how to coach apprentices through common errors in alignment or bonding.
Safety remains a priority throughout coaching. This section explores how to coach apprentices in safe work methods, including proper manual handling, scaffold use, PPE, and hazard identification. You’ll also learn how to reinforce WHS responsibilities and monitor safety compliance throughout the training process.
Problem-solving is a core trade competency. This section outlines how to coach apprentices in reading plans, adjusting for site-specific constraints, and sequencing work efficiently. You’ll also learn how to guide apprentices through decision-making processes and real-time adjustments to layouts or material use.
Feedback helps shape behaviour and build confidence. This section provides methods for delivering constructive feedback immediately and respectfully. You’ll learn how to combine positive reinforcement with practical correction, and how to encourage apprentices to self-reflect on their work quality and performance.
Clear expectations lead to better outcomes. This section explores how to define standards for workmanship, accuracy, and professional conduct. You’ll learn how to set performance targets, clarify jobsite behaviour expectations, and reinforce accountability from day one.
Monitoring progress ensures that learning is effective. This section outlines informal and formal techniques for observing apprentice development, identifying skill gaps, and providing extra support where needed. You’ll also learn how to recognise signs of competency and readiness to perform tasks independently.
Technical literacy is part of trade mastery. This section provides coaching techniques for teaching plan reading, interpreting specifications, and understanding construction tolerances. You’ll also learn how to guide apprentices through layout, measurement, and set-out activities using actual site drawings.
Time management is key to productivity. This section explains how to coach apprentices in planning daily tasks, maintaining clean and efficient work areas, and achieving realistic targets. You’ll learn how to help apprentices develop habits that improve speed without sacrificing quality.
Professional conduct underpins career success. This section explores how to coach apprentices in reliability, punctuality, site etiquette, and communication with team members. You’ll also learn respectful ways to address low motivation or unsafe behaviour while maintaining a coaching relationship.
Mistakes are learning opportunities. This section focuses on how to manage errors in a constructive way—teaching apprentices how to assess what went wrong, complete rework confidently, and apply lessons to avoid repeat problems. Preserving morale while correcting work is a key theme.
Coaching is not one-size-fits-all. This section explains how to vary your coaching approach—visual, verbal, hands-on—based on individual apprentice needs. You’ll learn how to assess readiness, adjust pacing, and recognise when to refer an apprentice for additional training or support.
Documentation supports communication and compliance. This section covers how to record coaching activities, track development using informal logs or structured templates, and align feedback with relevant unit competencies. You’ll also learn how to share progress with supervisors or RTOs as required.
Coaching is a gateway to long-term success. This final section explores how to prepare apprentices for greater responsibility, support future career planning, and reinforce the importance of continual learning, licensing, and trade upskilling. Empowering apprentices to lead and grow is central to building a strong workforce.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the practical coaching tools, communication strategies, and mentoring techniques needed to develop confident, capable, and safety-conscious brick and blocklaying apprentices on today’s construction sites.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Workplace Coaching in Bricklaying Apprenticeships
- Defining coaching versus supervision and training
- The purpose and benefits of structured onsite coaching
- Role of the coach in trade development and performance
2. Understanding the Needs of Apprentices in Brick & Blocklaying
- Stages of skill development: beginner to competent tradesperson
- Common challenges faced by new apprentices
- Addressing learning styles and generational differences
3. Establishing a Supportive Learning Environment
- Creating a culture of respect, trust, and inclusion
- Modelling professionalism and a positive attitude
- Encouraging apprentices to ask questions and seek feedback
4. Planning Coaching Sessions for Onsite Application
- Aligning coaching topics with workplace activities
- Scheduling learning opportunities during real jobs
- Setting learning objectives and targets for each session
5. Communicating Effectively as a Coach
- Giving clear, constructive, and respectful instructions
- Using trade language and job-relevant terminology
- Encouraging two-way communication and clarification
6. Teaching Technical Skills in Brick & Blocklaying
- Demonstrating correct techniques for laying bricks and blocks
- Coaching on mixing mortar, jointing, and cleaning
- Correct use of tools such as spirit levels, trowels, and lines
7. Supervising Safe Work Practices
- Reinforcing WHS obligations and safe manual handling
- Teaching safe scaffolding, access, and PPE use
- Monitoring compliance with safety procedures
8. Developing Apprentice Problem-Solving Abilities
- Encouraging analysis of plans, levels, and sequencing
- Guiding decision-making during layout and alignment tasks
- Coaching apprentices to resolve common on-site issues
9. Providing Feedback for Skill Development
- Using immediate feedback to correct errors
- Balancing positive reinforcement with constructive criticism
- Creating opportunities for self-assessment and reflection
10. Setting Performance Standards and Expectations
- Defining quality requirements for trade tasks
- Reinforcing consistency, accuracy, and workmanship
- Setting clear behavioural and productivity expectations
11. Monitoring Progress and Competency Growth
- Tracking development using informal and formal methods
- Identifying areas needing further support or repetition
- Using visual observation and task completion as indicators
12. Coaching in Plan Reading and Job Documentation
- Teaching interpretation of basic site plans and elevations
- Explaining specifications and construction tolerances
- Demonstrating set-out and measurement from drawings
13. Supporting Time Management and Productivity
- Coaching on daily planning and task sequencing
- Reinforcing the value of preparation and clean work areas
- Helping apprentices meet daily and weekly work targets
14. Addressing Attitudes, Reliability, and Work Ethic
- Coaching professionalism, punctuality, and communication
- Managing motivation and team cooperation
- Redirecting unproductive or unsafe behaviours respectfully
15. Coaching Through Mistakes and Rework
- Identifying causes of errors in brick or blockwork
- Teaching recovery techniques without damaging morale
- Encouraging learning from rework situations
16. Adapting Coaching Techniques to Individual Learners
- Using visual, hands-on, and verbal coaching methods
- Adjusting pace and depth based on apprentice capacity
- Recognising when external support or training is needed
17. Documenting Coaching Activities and Outcomes
- Recording informal and structured coaching sessions
- Using coaching logs or templates aligned with unit competencies
- Reporting progress to supervisors or RTOs as required
18. Promoting Long-Term Trade Mastery and Career Growth
- Encouraging apprentices to take initiative and lead tasks
- Supporting pathway planning beyond apprenticeship
- Reinforcing continual learning, licensing, and upskilling
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.