What is a Mason?

• The  Mason is a journeyperson who is qualified to lay brick, stone, concrete block, glass block, insulation and other masonry units to exact standards and time  frames. The Mason works on industrial, commercial, institutional and residential buildings. As well Masons restore designated heritage buildings using specified conservation techniques.

What do Masons do?

• As a Mason, one would construct, erect, install and repair structures using brick, concrete block, stone, insulation and other masonry units. Walls, arches, paving, floors, fireplaces, chimneys, and smokestacks, blast furnaces, kilns, coke ovens are some of the structures one would work on. Also, part of the responsibilities would be to cut and trim, to specification, all masonry units using hand and power tools.

How do you become a Mason?

• Information on training to become a Mason is available by contacting the Mason's Union at (808) 841-0491.

What is an Apprentice?

• An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of a Mason (journeyperson). It is 90% on-the-job and 10% formal in school technical training. You earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while you are working on the job site. Apprentices wages start at approximately 50% of the journeyperson's hourly rate of pay with periodic increases as your skills and productivity match to qualified journeyperson. The Masonry Apprenticeship Programs are disbursed in three eight week in-school sessions where the rapid development of trade skills is essential for success on the job to achieve an accelerated apprenticeship.

What is a Mason Tender?

• The Mason Tender is a labor journeyperson who is trained to assist the mason with the majority of the labor intensive duties. The primary purpose is to help the mason improve on his productivity.  "A mason is only as good as his tender."

How do you prepare for a career in the Mason Trade?

• You must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum Grade 12  education or equivalent. The apprentice must be able to work well, both individually and in teams under direct supervision. Candidates should have a good command of written and spoken English, and good skills in Mathematics. Hands and eye co-ordination for handling tools are essential. Must be eligible to work in the United States.

What courses are included in the  training for an Apprentice Mason?

• The training includes trade-related math, business communications and blueprint reading, general trade practice, blockwork, brickwork, and specialties such as masonry panels, stonework, restoration, refractories, safety, etc.

What are the hours and working conditions of  a Mason.?

• Working an eight hour day, five days a week (40 Hours) is the  standard. Occasional overtime is required to meet deadlines. Although the majority of the work is done outdoors, recent trends are leaning to year round work for the majority of the workforce.

What are the benefits of being a Mason?

• The rewards of Union Apprenticeship Training are the good wages and  benefits you receive as a skilled journeyperson. Union Masons belong to the Brick and Allied Craftworkers. You'll be working under the protection  of a union contract, with insurance, pension and health and welfare benefits. In the long run, it pays to become a Mason, trained through Union Apprenticeship!