Masonry Magazine August 1996 Page. 13
hour of job site English or Spanish, which ever they may need, so that they can communicate with one another.
Funding for the students' tuition is paid entirely by UMCA dues and fund raiser activities. Supplier members donate materials and the Community College pays the instructor's salaries. At the present time, the Community college has fifty-two individuals enrolled in the program and the program expects to take in 25 new students in the fall of 1996.
Ed Heumann (right), a retired journeyman bricklayer, gives Brian Malle tips on building a brick veneer wall at St. Louis South County Technical High School's construction skills shop.
According to Dee Brown of Dee Brown Masonry, "All masonry contractors in this area are eager to continue this program because of the quality of instruction and the level of student enthusiasm."
Mason Contractor's Association of St. Louis
In the fall of 1995 the Mason Contractor's Association of St. Louis, in conjunction with the South County Vocational High School began a one-year vocational masonry education program.
"This program has been a very successful endeavor for both the students and the contractors," says instructor Carl Heumann. The purpose of the program was to provide some preliminary training and some exposure to the masonry trade", he continued. Students that complete this one year program would have a better understanding of what the trade involves and would be better prepared should they chose to continue on in a three year apprenticeship program."
According to Mr. Heumann, the first step to starting the program was going to the vocational education staff at the school and determining a curriculum to follow. The school provides the space for classes and the laboratory portion of the programs as well as recruits the students. Local manufacturers donate supplies.
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