Masonry Magazine July 2007 Page. 30
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The number of skilled laborers for hire often varies by location. Masonry companies in larger cities in his state, such as Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham and Wilmington, are having trouble hiring skilled workers, while masons in the rural areas are not. Nash said the trade is open to almost anyone who wants to learn and has a good work ethic.
"A young person who really wants to do well and can learn the trade, and has a good work ethic to go along with it, he is going to get a job," Nash said. "Mason contractors are breaking down the door to get him."
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Great Pay and Benefits, Few Takers
THE GREAT IRONY in the worker shortage is that masonry pays extremely well. Everyone knows that masonry jobs are physically demanding, but no one seems to know the flip side - workers can make a handsome salary with benefits.
"Young people can graduate high school and, within three years, can make $25 an hour," McLaughlin said.
And then there are the benefits packages. Griffin said he previously lost employees to other jobs because they needed benefits. Now his company offers full health insurance, 401(k) plans, disability and other benefits.
"What we decided years ago is that we have to provide the benefits," he said. "People today are looking for more than just how big that paycheck is on Friday. They want benefits."
Another industry perk is the pride masons take in their work. "It's something you can take pride in," Griffin said. "You get a real sense of accomplishment."
McLaughlin said when representatives of his foundation talk with students about masonry careers, they emphasize that masonry is a craft that workers can be proud of at the end of every day.
"It is a proud profession. When you walk away from a building, you can say, 'I built this' When you leave a building, you see it. It's not like other trades where the work is hidden in the walls," he said. "You can always see the masonry in or on a building."
Recruiting and Training New Blood
AS THE MASONRY INDUSTRY recognizes the need for new workers, it's proactively recruiting and training students in high schools and technical colleges. McLaughlin's foundation, which is funded by mason contractors and suppliers, has representatives who go into Florida high schools and vocational schools to get young people interested in masonry.
The representatives discuss the trade, explaining that it's a high skill, high wage craft, McLaughlin said. Representatives also discuss the career path in masonry, explaining that apprentices have the opportunity to move up to journeymen, foremen, supervisory positions, estimators and potentially management, with pay increases at each step.