Masonry Course in Sri Lanka
Bricklaying, Plastering, Tiling and Concrete Work — NVQ Level 3
Ceylon Open Campus offers a comprehensive masonry training programme covering all the core construction trades: brickwork, blockwork, plastering, tiling and concrete. Graduate with an NVQ Level 3 certificate and the practical skills to work on Sri Lanka's construction sites or overseas in the Gulf.
Masonry: The Foundation Trade of Every Building Project in Sri Lanka
Every building in Sri Lanka — from a single-room kitchen extension to a ten-storey apartment — requires masonry work at some stage. Bricklaying and blockwork form the envelope; plastering finishes the surfaces; tiling protects wet areas and floors; concrete work provides structural strength. A mason who is competent across all four disciplines is one of the most employable tradespeople on any site, capable of contributing from the first day of construction to the final fit-out stage.
The Ceylon Open Campus masonry course in Kattankudy is delivered in a purpose-built outdoor training yard. Students lay actual bricks and blocks, float plaster on wall panels, set wall and floor tiles using adhesive and grout, and cast small concrete elements under instructor supervision. By the end of the programme, each student has built a complete practice structure from footing level to plastered finish — a tangible record of their competency that they can show to employers and clients.
The TVEC/NVQ Level 3 certificate issued on completion is the recognised credential for masonry in Sri Lanka. It meets the minimum requirement for Gulf construction recruitment and for government infrastructure projects that demand qualified tradespeople under procurement regulations.
What You Will Learn
Bricklaying and Blockwork
Laying single and double skin walls in stretcher bond, English bond and Flemish bond; constructing corners, reveals and openings to level and plumb.
Mortar Mixing and Quality
Cement, sand and water ratios for different applications; testing workability and checking for correct setting time on site.
Plastering Techniques
Applying scratch coat and finish coat on block and brick surfaces; achieving flat, smooth finishes to Sri Lanka Standard specifications.
Floor and Wall Tiling
Surface preparation, tile adhesive application, setting out to minimize cuts, cutting tiles with wet saw and angle grinder, grouting and sealing.
Concrete Work
Manual and machine mixing, placing and compacting concrete in column boxes and strip footings; reading a simple concrete mix design.
Plan Reading and Setting Out
Interpreting simple building plans, using a builder's level and string lines to set out wall positions and check levels across a site.
Course Duration, Entry Requirements and Fees
| Detail | Intensive (Core Modules) | Full NVQ Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 months | 6 months |
| Schedule | Mon–Fri, full day | Mon–Fri, full day |
| Entry Requirement | 3 O/L passes or site experience | 3 O/L passes, age 16+ |
| Indicative Fee | LKR 25,000 | LKR 40,000 |
| Award | Certificate of Attendance | TVEC/NVQ Level 3 — Masonry |
Mason Salaries and Overseas Opportunities
Sri Lanka Monthly Earnings
| Role | LKR/month |
|---|---|
| Site Mason (residential) | 45,000 – 60,000 |
| Plasterer / Tiler (specialist) | 55,000 – 80,000 |
| Mason (commercial projects) | 65,000 – 90,000 |
| Site Supervisor / Foreman | 80,000 – 130,000 |
Gulf and Korea Opportunities
Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are the primary Gulf destinations for Sri Lankan masons. Large construction projects — including hospitality, infrastructure and residential developments — maintain demand year-round. NVQ Level 3 with two years of documented site experience is the standard requirement.
Gulf packages including accommodation, meals and annual flight allowances are equivalent to LKR 110,000 to LKR 190,000 per month. SLBFE-registered agencies specifically request TVEC certificates when processing construction trade visas.
Masonry students often combine their training with our carpentry course to become multi-trade construction workers who can handle complete building projects. Explore all construction trades at our construction courses in Sri Lanka page or browse the full course catalogue. Start your enrolment on our apply page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the masonry course at Ceylon Open Campus cover?
The programme covers building materials and their properties (bricks, blocks, sand, cement, aggregates), mortar mixing and consistency, bricklaying in single and double skin, blockwork and retaining wall construction, plastering (scratch coat and finish coat), floor and wall tiling, concrete mixing and placing, column and footing construction, and reading of simple building plans. The assessment includes laying a two-metre section of wall to plumb and line to trade standard.
What are the entry requirements for the masonry course?
Three O/L passes are the minimum educational requirement, though mature applicants with site experience and no O/L certificate may be assessed on practical aptitude. Students must be at least 16 years old and physically capable of the heavy manual work involved in masonry — lifting blocks, mixing mortar and working in outdoor and confined site conditions.
Is the masonry certificate NVQ or TVEC recognised?
Yes. The programme is mapped to the TVEC National Competency Standard for Masonry and leads to an NVQ Level 3 certificate. An advanced NVQ Level 4 is available for those who wish to become site supervisors or take on complex decorative stonework and specialist plastering. These certificates are accepted by construction employers throughout Sri Lanka and by Gulf recruitment agencies.
How long is the masonry course and what are the fees?
The NVQ Level 3 course runs for 6 months on a full-time basis. A 4-month intensive option covering only the core bricklaying and plastering modules is available at a lower fee. Indicative fees are LKR 40,000 for the 6-month NVQ Level 3 programme and LKR 25,000 for the 4-month intensive. Payment plans are available in monthly instalments.
How much does a qualified mason earn in Sri Lanka?
Masons on residential building sites in the Eastern Province earn a daily rate of LKR 1,800 to LKR 2,500, which translates to LKR 45,000 to LKR 60,000 per month for consistent site work. Experienced masons handling decorative finishes, terrazzo, tiling or waterproofing work earn LKR 60,000 to LKR 90,000 per month. On large government infrastructure or commercial projects in Colombo, site mason supervisors earn LKR 80,000 to LKR 120,000.
Can Sri Lankan masons find work in the Gulf or Korea?
Yes. The Gulf construction sector — particularly UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar — actively recruits masons for hotel, residential and infrastructure projects through SLBFE-registered agencies. NVQ Level 3 with documented site experience is required. Gulf packages including accommodation and food are equivalent to LKR 110,000 to LKR 190,000 per month. Korea EPS-TOPIK has included construction sector categories in several intake years, with higher net earnings for selected trades.
Start Your Masonry Career at Ceylon Open Campus
Contact our admissions team to confirm the next intake and your preferred payment plan.
Phone
075 922 0083
coc.ceylon@gmail.com
Campus
Kattankudy, Sri Lanka