National Masonry Academy: Laying Foundations for a New Skills Model

The Masonry Association of Great Britain launched the National Masonry Academy to tackle skills shortages with hands-on, employer-led training. Partnering with NOCN Group, they are delivering practical, accredited routes to support sector growth.

Construction / Civil Engineering

UK

The Challenge

The UK masonry sector faces a growing skills shortage, with employers struggling to access quality training and upskill their workforce. Many pay into the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy but receive limited return. A fragmented skills system has left contractors underserved – especially in masonry, where hands-on experience and practical competency are critical.

The Solution: A New Association and a New Academy

Eve Livett, an experienced sector leader, launched the Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB) in response to industry demand for a central, supportive body. Alongside this, MAGB founded the National Masonry Academy (NMA) – a dedicated training centre model aimed at delivering robust, employer-led training to all levels of the sector.

Why NOCN Group?

MAGB chose NOCN Group as its skills solutions provider based on a long-standing relationship built on trust, responsiveness, and shared values.

“I’ve worked with NOCN Group in several roles and they’ve always been outstanding,” said Livett. “They helped us develop the Brickwork Technician NVQ in my previous role and have always supported us, even when we were starting from scratch.”

The Academy will be delivering:

NOCN Level 2 NVQ in Bricklaying
NOCN Level 2 NVQ in Brickwork Technician – a critical new qualification developed to meet competency standards under the Building Safety Act

Future delivery plans include:

NOCN Group Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Bricklaying (Diploma)
Apprenticeships with NOCN Group as the End-Point Assessment Organisation
Progression up to Level 7 NVQs

Process and Experience

Eve says that becoming an NOCN Group Centre was smooth and well-supported with:

Clear guidance and policy templates
A dedicated account manager
Streamlined onboarding and Centre approval
Planned site visits for quality assurance as delivery ramps up
A ‘baked in’ partnership approach from the beginning and on an ongoing basis
Shared values around skills development that has economic and social impact in a critical specialist sector which both organisations have deep expertise in

Results and Impact

The Academy’s approach is already resonating with employers who want flexible, site-relevant training. The focus on assessors from the trade, hands-on experience, and progression into employment is giving businesses the confidence to take on apprentices again.

“Our aim is to get people skilled, site-ready, and employed – and NOCN Group is a key part of making that happen.”

Looking Ahead

As the Academy scales nationally, MAGB is working with colleges, industry bodies, and contractors to expand training provision without duplication. Collaboration is central – and NOCN Group remains a core strategic partner.

Conclusion

MAGB and the National Masonry Academy offer a scalable, collaborative model for solving sector-specific skills shortages. With NOCN Group as their trusted skills solutions partner, they’re setting a new benchmark in masonry training that prioritises quality, relevance, and employability.