Youngsters leaving school, college and university these days face a difficult choice when it comes to deciding on a career. Do you opt to learn a trade? Would you prefer to work in an office? Do you go where you can earn the most money? Are you willing to travel a great distance every day? These questions and many more need to be answered, and of course there’s no right or wrong response that suits everyone.
A career in stonemasonry won’t appeal to all, obviously, but for some men and women it’s perhaps the ideal career choice. If you like the idea of learning techniques that go back hundreds of years while at the same time using high-tech tools featuring the very latest technology, and if you enjoy creating beautiful finished products that really catch the eye, this could be the role for you.
There will be times when you have to spend long periods of time in the great outdoors, too. This is always a pleasure when the sun is shining and the skies are blue, but you have to bear in mind that the feel-good factor won’t be in evidence very much when the wind is howling and the rain is falling. When we talk about the swings and roundabouts of the job, the weather can be both.
We love the variety that comes from working with stone. We work hand in hand with architects, surveyors and project managers on a diverse range of assignments. They can include repairing damaged monuments, creating new footpaths from reclaimed stone, making window frames for workplace buildings, installing fireplaces in residential homes and building archways for public spaces.
Are you the right type of individual?
Those who work in stone come from all backgrounds and all areas, but there are some aspects of their personalities that they will have in common. They’ll enjoy facing challenges, for example, they’ll have a determination to overcome problems, they’ll enjoy the satisfaction of creating beauty from scratch and they’ll be comfortable working with other construction professionals.
You’ll also have to be in this for the long haul. It takes time – a lot of time – to acquire the skills you will need in this industry. Learning a trade can be a slow process, especially if you’re not overly blessed with patience, but the rewards make the effort worthwhile. Once you’re a fully qualified stonemason, there’s no reason why your talents couldn’t take you all around the world.
Here at AGM Stone, we place a great emphasis on working with reclaimed stone wherever possible. We have a commitment to doing what we can for the environment, but we also believe in the strength and beauty of this material. We always want our finished projects to display character, a character that instantly stands out from the crowd. To find out more about the benefits of working in stonemasonry, call us today on 07493 348 845. We hope to hear from you soon.
