Masonry Magazine August 1996 Page. 12
Arizona Mason Contractors Association, Phoenix, Arizona
The Arizona Mason Contractors Association in Phoenix, Arizona, began their apprenticeship program in 1994. "We went to the department of labor office in Arizona and began the necessary paperwork. Our program is open to high school graduates. Individuals enrolled in Department of Labor approved programs must have 144 hours of class work a year and 2000 hours on the job per year," explained Ahlers.
"After contacting the Department of Labor, we began to recruit our first class of apprentices. The students for the first year of the program were all existing employees. Getting students for our second year was a little more difficult," he continued. "We didn't get as involved in recruiting as we should have. However, we learned from that and are starting to recruit the students for next fall right now."
Casey Schreur is the instructor for the Arizona Apprenticeship program. He is also the instructor for the masonry courses taken by the juniors and seniors at Metro Tech High School. "Because we have been working with the high school for a number of years, we feel that we can meet our goal of training 15 new apprentices a year."
"Every apprentice is employed by a local contractor. The contractors pay for the student's tuition and the students buy their books and tools," said Ahler. "Additionally, local suppliers have donated material to the program. Classes are held at Metro Tech High School. They meet on Wednesday or Thursday nights, for the lecture portion of the class, and the lab section is held on a Saturday."
According to Mr. Ahlers, planning for the program began in the summer of 1994." We contacted the high school. This arrangement is very effective because the two-year high school program serves as a preliminary training ground for potential apprentices.
"Normally, individuals who want to enter the apprenticeship program need to be interviewed by the committee, sponsored by a contractor and participate in a 30 day trial period. However, if Casey feels he has a talented high school graduate, we consider that a high recommendation.
At that point it is pretty easy to find someone willing to sponsor an individual recommended by Casey. The high school program provides a quality source of apprentices to supplement applications we get from the community," said Ahlers.
According to Schreur, the program is getting better all the time. "The apprenticeship committee has a great rapport with the school. Additionally, I have seen such an improvement in individual performance over the past two years. It is so important that the students have on the job training to go along with their class work."
Finally, along with learning a trade, the apprentices have an opportunity to contribute to the community. Last year the apprentices built a privacy wall around a shelter for battered women and this year they are scheduled to build a house for the local police force. The house will be used for SWAT team training.
"As we see it, says Ahlers, it's a win-win situation. The contractors are getting well-trained apprentices and the apprentices are earning money while learning the trade."
United Mason Contractors Association, Dallas, Texas
Because their needs vary, the Bricklayers Training programs sponsored by the United Mason Contractors in Dallas, is structured a little differently. However the pride they have in their program is just as strong.
In order to address the shortage of qualified bricklayers in their area, the Board of Directors for the UMCA voted to begin a two-year bricklayer training program. The program was designed by instructors at the Dallas County Community College and is held at the North Lake Campus.
Enrollees of the program are recommended by the contractor members of the UMCA. Trainees for the first class were recruited from the ranks of laborers, forklift drivers and newly hired employees. Classes are held in the evening. The instructors are experienced bricklayers and a Spanish interpreter is available to those who do not speak English.
In fact, due to the bilingual needs of the local populations, all trainees receive the equivalent of one credit 12 MASONRY-JULY/AUGUST, 1996
Ken Bullock adds brick veneer to a full-scale house being built in the construction skills shop at South County Technical High School in St. Louis, MO. A high school senior, Bullock is one of six students in the vocational masonry class which is jointly sponsored by the St. Louis County Special School District and the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis. (MCA photo by Carl F. Freeman)