Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 27
Masonry Training Programs
Henderson, Texas
Bradshaw State Jail, operated by Management and Training Corporation, offers a masonry program that provides training to offenders interested in the trade. With the assistance of a local brick distributor and full-time instructor John Rockey, a high quality training program is provided. The masonry course is five months long with six hours of training per day. Up to 44 offenders are enrolled in the course at one time. Although the majority of the course involves hands-on training, there is also classroom instruction that covers safety, tools, material calculations and cost estimates. It is the mission of this program to provide training to the offender that is essential to his rehabilitation. States Faye Richards, Employment Specialist for the jail, "These offenders have made mistakes but are putting forth the effort to change their lives while serving time."
Fishersville, Virginia
The masonry program at Valley Vocational-Technical Center began in 1979. Instructor Robert B. Ham, a journeyman mason and a graduate of Virginia Tech, has been the instructor the entire time. The daytime program is offered to 11th and 12th graders from high schools in the local area. Afternoon and evening classes are also offered to special populations and the general public. Second-year students in the program are given the opportunity to become employed by local mason contractors while continuing their education. Currently, six students are participating in this work-experience program. In addition, students work with alumni and others to construct the foundations of homes for a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Highland Springs, Virginia
According to masonry instructor Glenn Edwards, Highland Springs Technical Center offers a two-year masonry program for high school juniors and seniors. HSTC draws students from all over the local county and has an average of 15 students annually. Classes frequently construct projects for the county to gain experience. Recently they constructed a 2000 brick paved sidewalk and patio at the county's central school board office and the marquee at a new middle school. Seniors in the program are also allowed to work with local contractors during their scheduled class time. In addition, graduating students are allowed to put "video resumes" of their work on a school website for contractors to review for possible employment.
Salem, Virginia
Richard McGann, Blue Ridge Masonry Association Apprenticeship Chairman, reports that BRMA has an ongoing program to train masonry apprentices. The BRMA started the program in 1996 and has been conducting the program each year since then. The instructors for the program are masons Ed Funk and Brian Tunstall. Both work for local contractors. Presently there are 37 students enrolled in the BRMA program: 13 first year students, 8 second year students and 16 third year students.
Clay, West Virginia
There are 25 juniors and seniors in the two-year masonry program at Clay County High School according to masonry instructor Pete Grey. Students in the program learn all aspects of masonry including brick, block and stone. In addition, they learn blueprint reading, estimating and layout. The students also participate in the Skills USA masonry competition at the state level. Several students have advanced to compete at the national level. "Live work" projects completed by the students have included several marquees for local elementary, middle and high schools.
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