With over a decade of experience in trade associations, workforce development, and skills strategy, Eve Livett is a recognised leader in vocational training and construction industry advocacy.

Before founding MAGB, Eve served as CEO of the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC), where she played a pivotal role in championing high standards in bricklaying training and assessment. She has sat on industry qualification development boards, supported assessment centre operations, and managed end-to-end training delivery models.

The skills crisis in masonry

The construction industry is facing a well-documented crisis in skills, and within that, masonry stands as one of the most affected areas. Bricklayers, block layers, and specialist masonry professionals are in high demand – but the training infrastructure simply hasn’t kept pace.

The industry has been fragmented, under-supported, and lacking the targeted, hands-on training routes needed to bring in the next generation of skilled workers.

Why MAGB was created

As the recently appointed Chief Executive of the Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB), and someone with a long background in trade associations and vocational education, I saw the clear gap – and the urgent need to address it.

MAGB may be a new organisation, but we were created in direct response to the sector’s needs. Our goal is to represent businesses across the entire masonry ecosystem – from small micro-enterprises to the UK’s largest manufacturers. At the heart of our mission is one principle: collaboration.

We aim to unite the sector, raise standards, and position masonry as the number one choice of building material by ensuring the workforce behind it is skilled, confident, and future-ready.

But advocacy alone isn’t enough. That’s why we’ve also launched the National Masonry Academy (NMA) – a practical, employer-led training initiative designed to deliver the real-world skills and qualifications the industry demands.

Why training is the sector’s biggest challenge – and opportunity

One of the loudest messages we hear from contractors and subcontractors is how difficult it is to upskill their teams. Many of them are Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy payers, yet they struggle to get the value they expect or navigate the system to access meaningful training.

They’re desperate for support, and for training provision that’s built with their business needs in mind.

Beyond that, we’re seeing a massive shortfall in new entrants. Bricklaying is consistently one of the most sought-after trades – yet we simply don’t have the infrastructure or incentives in place to attract and train the volume of talent we need.

There’s a skills gap. There’s a confidence gap. And there’s a delivery gap.

With these challenges in mind, we knew we couldn’t just advocate from the sidelines. We needed to get involved in delivering the training ourselves. That’s where the National Masonry Academy comes in.

Introducing the National Masonry Academy

We’ve secured land and premises for our first training centre in Sheffield, with further centres planned across the North of England. These hubs will offer apprenticeships, NVQs, and short courses, all tailored to what employers actually need – not just what's easiest to deliver.

And our qualifications? We’re working with NOCN Group to deliver them.

Why we chose NOCN Group

I’ve worked with NOCN Group extensively in previous roles, including at the Association of Brickwork Contractors and at ABC Assessment Centre, where NOCN was the Awarding Body.

Through those roles, I helped develop qualifications and sat on employer boards shaping curriculum. NOCN Group always stood out for being accessible, responsive, and truly employer-focused. They understood not just the regulatory side of qualifications but the practical needs of the people delivering and undertaking them.

When we launched the Academy, it was a no-brainer to continue that relationship. We needed a partner we could trust – one that aligned with our values and would help us deliver real outcomes.

What we're delivering first – and why

Our initial qualifications are focused on the areas with the most immediate need:

• Level 2 NVQ in Bricklaying
• Level 2 NVQ in Brickwork Technician

The Brickwork Technician NVQ is particularly close to my heart. It’s a brand-new qualification that I helped develop alongside CITB and NOCN Group in my previous role. For years, we had operatives performing key technical support roles on site – particularly around quality control, compliance, and inspection – but without any formal route to qualification.

Now, with the introduction of the Building Safety Act and a heightened focus on competency, it was vital that this role be formalised. We’ve finally made that happen.

But we’re not stopping at Level 2. Our long-term goal is to offer a full NVQ suite from Level 2 to Level 7, plus apprenticeships and the NOCN Group Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Bricklaying Diploma.

That diploma is widely used in FE colleges, but we often see learners completing it without the real-world site experience they need to transition into work. We want to change that by offering hands-on, site-based delivery that ensures learners are truly job-ready.

Tackling common pain points for employers

Another major frustration in the industry has been the inconsistency in assessors. Too often, employers tell us that their apprentices know more than the person assessing them.

At the Academy, we are committed to hiring trainers and assessors who come directly from the industry. People who know the trade, speak the language, and can offer the kind of guidance that adds real value. Employers want that confidence – and we’re here to provide it.

Collaboration, not competition

People sometimes ask me if we’re trying to compete with local colleges. The answer is simple: no. We’re here to collaborate.

We’ve already opened dialogue with Sheffield College, Leeds College, and others, to ensure that our work complements theirs. If they can’t deliver something – we can help. If we can’t, they can step in.

We’re not fighting over a limited pool of apprentices. We’re trying to expand the pool, bringing more people into the industry and encouraging more employers to engage with training. It’s about partnership, not rivalry.

Creating a Model for Other Sectors to Follow

What we’re building with MAGB and the National Masonry Academy isn’t just for masonry. It’s a blueprint – a model that could be replicated in other niche areas of construction where skills gaps are acute.

By bringing together industry bodies, employers, and a forward-thinking awarding organisation like NOCN Group, we’ve created a joined-up approach to training and workforce development. It's practical. It's scalable. And it’s already delivering results.

Working with NOCN Group has been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. They’ve been more than an Awarding Body – they’ve been a partner and collaborator. Their shared belief in high-quality, socially impactful training has helped shape what we’re building at the Academy.

Together, we’re laying strong foundations – for learners, for employers, and for the future of masonry.

Read the NOCN Group National Masonry Academy case study.