Trowels at the ready: showcasing bricklaying in action

Super Trowel was created as a platform to unite the bricklaying community, celebrating the craft, highlighting talent and forming a sense of camaraderie.

The competition’s director, Ashley Francis MCIOB, describes it as “an innovative strategy to inspire the next generation of bricklayers”.

He founded the event in 2023 along with fellow bricklayers Jack Dawson and Joe Short.

From laying the most bricks in record time to perfecting the finest details of a wall, Super Trowel combines competition with a celebration of skill and dedication.

The hope is that “the excitement and prestige of the event”, which is Europe’s largest bricklaying competition, can also be used “to showcase the opportunities within the trade”, Francis says.

“By combining competition with a community-driven approach, it seeks to shift perceptions of bricklaying as a career and promote its value within the construction industry,” he explains.

Last year’s event also featured more than 60 trade stands for the 1,000 attendees to browse.

As well as showcasing the craftsmanship of the industry, Super Trowel aims to dispel some common misconceptions about bricklaying and masonry.

One key misconception is the earning potential that bricklaying provides to those in the industry.

Francis explains: “Many believe the trade doesn’t pay well, but the average UK bricklayer earns around £52,000 to £65,000 per year on a day rate, making it a financially rewarding career.”

Another myth is the view that it’s an easy job.

“Bricklaying is far from easy,” Francis says. “It requires years of training on average, about four years to become fully skilled. Like any craft, it demands dedication and continuous learning.”

And finally, Francis is keen to stress the technical skill required.

“There’s a misconception that mortar is simply sticks to bricks. In reality, bricklayers understand and apply principles of bonding and structural integrity that require a deep understanding of materials and techniques.”

The event itself involves exhibitions, workshops and seminars, networking opportunities and, of course, a range of competitive events.

According to Francis, Super Trowel demonstrates “the precision, creativity and dedication required in bricklaying through its strict competition rules and tolerances”.

The flagship event is Super Trowel Champions, which is designed to find the UK and Ireland’s fastest bricklayer.

For this competition, regional heats are held in London, York, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with 10 contestants competing in each heat.

The top two contestants from each region – 10 in total – then advance to the final, where they have a chance to win the grand prize of £7,500 and more than £10,000 worth of tools. 

The winner also earns a place to compete in the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 in Las Vegas.

For the second-placed bricklayer, there is a £5,000 prize and the third-placed competitor wins £2,500.

Meanwhile, a second competition, the Hardest Hod, celebrates the hod carriers supporting the finalists. 

Each finalist’s hod carrier will race to set out for their bricklayer with boards and stands as well as loading out 1,000 bricks as quickly as possible. The fastest hod carrier wins £1,000. 

Finally, the Super Trowel Junior competition is set up for apprentices, giving the next generation of bricklayers a chance to get involved.

Host colleges hold in-house competitions to determine their top apprentice at a regional level and these selected apprentices then compete at the final. 

The winner receives a cash prize of £1,000 and a place in the Spec Mix Junior Bricklayer 500 in Las Vegas. 

Super Trowel 2025 is scheduled for 13 and 14 August at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.

“This venue provides the ideal setting to host the expanded event, ensuring ample space for competitions, trade stands, and interactive activities,” Francis says.

It will be three times larger than the previous event at Bletchley’s Marshall Arena, welcoming more trade stands and sponsors than in previous years.

Attendees of Super Trowel 2025 can also expect new features like plant simulators, CPD sessions, seminars and more hands-on experiences.

“These additions aim to enhance engagement and provide attendees with a broader understanding of the trade and its opportunities,” Francis says.

A standout addition for 2025 is a new elite bricklaying challenge, the Super Trowel Masters. This is a high-skill competition for experienced professionals, focusing on precision and craftsmanship. 

Francis describes it as the "crown jewel" of the event, giving bricklayers a platform to create “intricate, show-stopping brickwork designs”.

“The introduction of the Super Trowel Masters celebrates British brickwork at its finest,” he adds.

“In this category, four top bricklayers are challenged to design and build their own intricate walls meeting specific criteria while showcasing their unique skills and creativity.

“This not only illustrates technical ability but also demonstrates the artistry behind bricklaying.”

The entry process involves a knowledge test – competitors take a 50-question exam and must score 90% or above – along with a professional discussion with the head judge, covering advanced industry knowledge. 

Finally, competitors must complete a design and build task, designing and constructing a feature wall with the following criteria: 

The competition is judged by a panel of architects and leading industry professionals who assess the designs for craftsmanship, creativity, and compliance. 

Alongside all of this, the team at Super Trowel are “deeply committed to promoting sustainability and minimising waste”, Francis says.

“Our initiatives ensure that materials used during our competitions not only serve their purpose but are also repurposed to benefit local communities and the environment.”

All bricks used at the regional heats are new, supplied by Wienerberger, and are used only once during the event.

After the competition, the bricks are gifted to the host colleges, providing them with 10,000 bricks for their students to learn with. 

The team at Super Trowel also sources and supplies training mortar for each regional competition.

“Each host college receives around 12 tonnes of fresh training mortar, enough to support their learners’ practical sessions for nearly two years,” Francis explains.

“This allows colleges to allocate their budgets to other essential areas, enhancing their overall training capabilities or update tools.”

For the final, 12,000 bricks are used, which are crushed and recycled after the event to ensure nothing goes to waste. 

Around 20 tonnes of live cement-based mortar is supplied through a silo system, meaning waste is minimised. 

Francis adds that in 2024, Super Trowel achieved a 100% recycling rate for all bricks and mortar used at the final.

“The crushed bricks were donated to a non-profit fishery in North Essex,” he explains.

“With support from our supply chain, sponsors and partners, we were able to utilise these materials and they were repurposed to construct a road and car park, providing accessible facilities for fishermen who are elderly or with disabilities.”

Francis is clear that there is a tangible impact to all of this: by gifting reusable materials to colleges and supporting sustainable repurposing projects, Super Trowel is reducing waste, supporting hands-on training for future bricklayers and contributing to meaningful community initiatives. 

“At Super Trowel, sustainability is not just an obligation – it’s a core part of our mission to leave a positive legacy for the construction industry and beyond.”

Attracting fresh talent

Looking ahead, there is scope for industry leaders to get involved and help attract the next generation of bricklaying talent.

“We need industry leaders to actively support initiatives like Super Trowel,” Francis says.

“As three bricklayers committed to making a difference, we believe our trade must be sustainable and appealing to young people.

“Super Trowel is an exciting platform for education and engagement, providing a space where young people can interact with companies, brands, and skilled professionals they might not otherwise have access to.”

To help engage the next generation, Francis says more industry leaders must champion events like Super Trowel by offering sponsorship, mentorship and resources that “make careers in bricklaying more visible and accessible”.

“We want Super Trowel to be a bridge between young talent and the industry, showcasing the potential for fulfilling, well-paid careers in a trade that is vital to the construction sector’s future.”