Masonry Magazine December 2017 Page. 92
and what they would expect
from them on the job. The
contractors had the opportu�
nity to observe the projects
the inmates were working on
and critique their work. An
engaging question and an�
swer session followed. Jerry
Painter wrapped it up with a
presentation on what it takes
to be a mason. The Florida
Department of Corrections
provided the contractors with
I r
lunch and we discussed ways the Masonry Industry and the FDC can continue to work together to provide future workers for the trade. Every�one was pleased with the results of this collaboration.
The Florida Masonry Ap�
prentice and Educational
Foundation staff work very
closely with their area FDC
institutions and encourage
local masonry contractors to
hire the masonry students
once they are released. The
success of this first Open
House was soon evident. We
successfully placed seven of
Mr. Melgaard's students with
area contractors. The FMAEF
and FDC are planning Open
House events at the other ten
institutions that have masonry
programs.
FMAEF is in contact with over 200 inmates who are taking the FDC Masonry courses. Be�yond this, we want to identify other inmates who may not be in the program, yet may have worked in construction and possess skills that make them employable in the masonry industry.
The FMAEF and the Florida Department of Corrections now hold weekly meetings to
92
explore ways they can help provide an opportunity to an adult inmate who has served his time for his mistake and who has taken advantage of the opportunity to learn a trade. They want to assist him in becoming a produc�tive member of society upon release.
The Florida Masonry Appren�tice and Educational Founda�tion, the Masonry Association of Florida and the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council are also working with the Florida Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Youth�Build to develop Pre-Appren�ticeship programs for youth offenders. We all know that if we encourage these young people to learn a skill and pro�vide the training that prepares them for a job after release, they will be less likely to enter the Florida Corrections System as an adult.
The Masonry Industry will continue to need more skilled workers. The Industry must be willing to look for a readily available source of employ�ees through our Registered Apprenticeship System, Sec�ondary and Post-Secondary Schools System, and through the Florida Correctional System.
In the very near future you will be hearing more stories about what we are doing to identify and assess inmates who have a real desire to learn masonry. You will also hear about how we are working to ensure that they are trained in the proper skills to become a successful skilled mason upon release.