Bricklaying students from TAFE NSW Granville are shaping the future of the construction industry, with an innovative testing program.

In collaboration with the leading industry body, Thick Brick, the students and staff hosted a unique mortar testing program aimed at addressing ongoing concerns around mortar quality in Australia. Over a week, students and staff built 20 brick walls on campus using varying mortar compositions in a real-world experiment designed to uncover the “magic formula” for optimum effectiveness.

Mortar plays a crucial role in building sturdy and long-lasting walls, a paste-like material made from cement, sand, water and lime. However, there have been recent concerns raised by industry members, suggesting that current mixes may be too strong and sticky, leading to staining on brickwork and compromised structural integrity.

TAFE NSW Granville head teacher of bricklaying Greg Ible says the testing initiative was a win for both students and the broader construction sector.

“The fact that Think Brick approached us to run these test panels shows how trusted TAFE NSW is by industry,” he says.

“We as a team have a long history with the bricklaying trade, so it only makes sense we would be at the forefront of this type of testing.”

Under the guidance of their teachers and industry engineers, apprentices tested six different mortar mixes, each incorporating various lime additives. Engineers from Think Brick attended the event, and the samples will be further tested for adhesion, durability and cleanability at Mahaffey and Associates laboratory, with results expected after seven and 28 days.

Think Brick chief executive Cathy Inglis says the project is a crucial step toward improving mortar standards and training future bricklayers to understand how different materials perform under pressure.

“It’s great to have the support of TAFE NSW, and it will help apprentices gain a deeper understanding of the best mortar compositions in the future,” she says.

This marks the second time Think Brick has run a brick testing panel at TAFE NSW Granville.

The project comes at a significant time for the industry, as Australia faces a significant shortage of skilled bricklayers. Cathy says that industry groups are reporting acute shortages that are impacting housing and infrastructure projects, potentially hindering the country’s ability to meet its housing targets.