New BBC series follows young bricklayers

A six-part BBC TV series is following the lives of young bricklayers working in the construction industry.

Bricklayers of all abilities feature in the programme, from apprentices getting to grips with the industry to experienced workers trying to keep their team on track.

Two brickies to feature are Jeorgia and Molly, who are two of a small number of female bricklayers in England.

Research by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) suggests that only 2% of construction’s onsite workforce is female.

Jeorgia, whose father is also a bricklayer, told the BBC: “It was a bit scary at first to be the only woman. But you have to not care. Just have the confidence that you want to do it, and people start respecting you. People realise you’re there to do the task and work hard.”

The first episode sees three groups of bricklayers working on a housing development in Stoke-on-Trent. They are under pressure to get the job done but struggle amid materials shortages.

As well as Jeorgia, the episode features new apprentice Tom T, trying to prove himself as he gets to grips with life in the working world. And labourer Tom C finds himself out of a home unexpectedly and searching for somewhere to live.

All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer here: BBC Three – Brickies