Masonry Magazine May 2002 Page. 14
TRAINING & RECRUITING
Training and assistance for advancement in masonry in a specific occupational field. Students in the masonry program participate in a variety of activities from individual projects to group projects. Live work is done in the local area to give students the best possible methods of instruction.
Deatsville, Alabama
The masonry program at Ingram State Technical College has been in existence for at least 26 years. There are 17 students currently enrolled in the program. The Ingram program is unique in that all of its students are incarcerated. The students are taught all phases of masonry including setting tile, finishing and figuring concrete, laying rocks, stone, marble and granite laying brick and block and figuring the materials for both.
These students have the opportunity to practice their classroom skills in livework projects around the campus. At least 85% of these students take advantage of this trade and use it as means of upgrading their economic status after being released.
Eufala, Alabama
The masonry program at Wallace Community College Sparks Campus has been in existence since 1966. Mr. C.W. Bynum, masonry instructor, has an average of 14 students in this program each semester. Students in the program have the opportunity to practice their bricklaying skills while participating in live work projects for non-profit organizations. Projects so far this year have included renovations of the Science Building on the Sparks Campus, a Habitat for Humanity House in which the students volunteered on their off time to complete the foundation, and a time capsule to be opened in the year 2101 in downtown Eufala.
The masonry department has been involved with SkillsUSA - VICA and has been quite successful with a national winner and several top ten finishes since 1990. Mr. Bynum attributes this to Wallace Community College's Coop program which allows students to earn while they learn and receive valuable practical experience.
Evergreen, Alabama
The masonry program at Reid State Technical College has been active since the opening of the college in 1966. Mr. James E. Benson has been the instructor since 1983. For the past 19 years, Mr. Benson has contributed his success with the students to developing a rapport with each student, which allows them to feel their self-worth and in turn, helps them become good masons.
There is a minimum of twelve full-time students per semester in the masonry program. Two different blocks of high school students are dual-enrolled in the program. This allows for the high school students to earn college credit while in high school, plus gain valuable experience along the way.
Lafayette, Alabama
The masonry department of the Chambers County Career Technical Center under the instruction of William L. (Buddy) Combs designed and sculpted a brick sculpture that will be show-