Masonry Magazine October 1997 Page. 10
other industry suppliers support programs by providing job opportunities, materials and financial support to various local training programs. But there is more to do. The first step is understanding how and where masons are trained the the type of involved that is both necessary and available.
There are essentially three types of programs through which the industry can develop and train masons. These are apprenticeship programs, high school or vocational school programs and community college programs. Each of these areas offers a myriad of partnership opportunities for contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and educators.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship is a method of providing educational training that combines classroom based instruction with direct on-the-job experience. In the United States it is most often assumed to be a type of program that is union specific. This is an erroneous assumption. Apprenticeship is an educational system. In fact, many European countries use apprenticeship in a variety of occupations from skilled trades to banking. For students in Europe, apprenticeship is the next step in their education process after the equivalent of high school. Individuals who opt to attend a university often do so after completing an apprenticeship.
Because apprenticeship is a complete integration of school and work, the MCAA views it as the most complete comprehensive method of training. It gives the students the on-the-job training they need, along with ensuring contractor involvement.
There are a number of established MCAA chapters around the country running their own, Department of Labor approved apprenticeship training programs. Some of the more established programs in Colorado, Arizona and Kentucky are not only graduating well prepared journeymen mason but they are also proving to be invaluable resources to other areas of the country who want to start up apprenticeship programs.
Virginia
According to Ronnie Thompson, past president of the Virginia Masonry Council of the Southwest, the apprenticeship program has been a real benefit. "We graduated 9 people last year, we have 28-30 who are currently enrolled, and we are looking to take in between 10-12 new students this year said Thompson.
The Southwest program is approximately 2 years old. The program is approved by the State of Virginia and all of the current apprentices are employed by contractors.
All of the local contractors support the program through a fund that is administered by the Virginia Masonry Council. Contractors provide employment for each of the apprentices in the program. The most difficult part of starting the program was finding someone who could handle the day-to-day administrative issues. In order to solve this problem, the Virginia Masonry Council entered into a partnership with the Otto Burton Vocational High School. This arrangement has proved to be beneficial to all. The local high school handles all of the administrative paper work, record keeping and even the issuing of diplomas. The partnership also helped the high school regenerate their masonry curriculum.
Three years ago the masonry program at Otto Burton Vocational High School had 5 students enrolled. At that time the Virginia Masonry Council provided the vocational school with the MCAA's training series. They arranged for students who completed the curriculum at the vocational high school to enter the classroom portion of the apprenticeship as third year apprentices.
Additionally, contractors and material suppliers have honored a commitment to attend all of the career days that the vocational school sponsors. According to Thompson, the high school masonry program is now filled with 25 students, which is five over the school's enrollment limit of 20. Additionally, there are three students on a waiting list.
Kentucky
Now in its fourth year, the masonry program run by the Construction Training Institute is at capacity for all levels of training. Fourty-five students, with 15 students at each level will be starting this fall. According to Executive Director RoAnne Barnett Marett, this program is not only Department of Labor approved, but is also an approved Veteran's training program, where G.I. benefits can be used for tuition and other fees.
While in the program the students work full-time for a contractor and go to school two nights a week from September to March. Funding from industry grants and contractor contributions pays for books, tools, the instructor's time and even the time the student spends in class. There really is not a problem with attrition said Marett." Although we do have a tough attendance policy and if students don't comply the will be kicked out of the classroom portion of the program."
While the Construction Training Institute has made powerful inroads, Marett says that we all still have a way to go." For training to be truly successful we all need to start to place the same emphasis on training as there has been on safety over the past 10 years. Profits will go up when you have a well-trained workforce. Training will be successful when it is afforded the same involvement and attention that has been given to safety issues, both in the field and in the classroom".
Community Colleges
Local Community Colleges provide a number of different opportunities for training masons. Because they are focused on meeting the needs of their adult population, community colleges are often looking to support collaborative efforts with local industries. A community college can offer masons anything from a space in which to hold classes to handling the promotion, registration and instruc-