Fechino Files: The Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarship

Words: Steven Fechino

The Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarship is open for applicants to apply for the 2023 November presentation. Scholarships are typically applied for by an instructor, Working Mentor or an Employer that has that special student that works hard every day. This year Mortar Net Solutions will offer 40 scholarships that support the Masonry trade, the Tile Setting Trade as well as the Stucco Trade. 

Requirements for the applicant are very simple, the student must have at least one year of training remaining before they top out, a student should desire to stay in the trades as a journeyman once they achieve that status, and they should benefit from the scholarship as it is designed to help keep the student that is working hard to achieve journeyman status, not for the student that is walking into a family-owned company where he will have it easy.  

The Apprentice Scholarship does not have a cost to the student, teacher or the training facility. The cost of the tools and equipment that are part of the tool bag are donated by Mortar Net Solutions and the masonry suppliers that support this industry with quality products that we use every day. The tool bag will be accompanied by a $350.00 check (is requested by the instructor once the scholarship tool bag is received) to partially cover some of the student's quarterly tuition.

Mortar Net Solutions asks that with every application, the student named is not made aware of the submission until the award is made. Something special becomes a great surprise to the hard-working person who receives the tool bag and learns that someone has believed in them. It is also important that the presentation be photographed and the photos submitted to Mortar Net Solutions so we can share the images with our sponsors to support all of the sponsors' social media platforms. Submissions can be sent to gskyta@mortarnet.com. The social media presence will elevate the popularity of the training facility as well as the sponsor that donates time and effort to this worthy effort.

Please submit a student today, https://mortarnet.com/mason-apprentice-scholarship/. This scholarship is designed to help build this trade with the special folks that really want a better life, and all of our company's management, corporate sponsors and instructors across the country depend on honesty to make this successful for all involved. 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact me directly at sfechino@mortarnet.com. The more sponsors that become part of this effort, the better experience it will be for all involved.

Manufactured Stone Veneer Trends for 2026: What’s Next in Stone & Masonry Aesthetics
December 2025

As design trends evolve, stone and masonry continue to stand at the intersection of artistry, performance, and innovation. For 2026, manufactured stone veneer (MSV) is emerging as one of the most dynamic materials in the exterior and interior design space

Construction Robotics Upgrades to Gold in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
December 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to share that Construction Robotics will upgrade their Silver partnership to a Gold partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 34 Recap: Major Ogilvie, CEO at Ogilvie Strategies, LLC
December 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Major Ogilvie joins the set to talk about his days playing football in college, how his journey started, and how he's seen the masonry industry change over the years.

Building the Future of the Trades: STABILA’s International Social Media Day and Verified Social Channels Are Inspiring the Next Generation
December 2025

In an era when social media often shapes public perception more than traditional media, even the most time-honored trades are finding new ways to connect, educate, and inspire. STABILA, a global name synonymous with precision measurement tools is trusted