2026 Masonry Apprentice Scholarship

Words: Steven Fechino

Well, it is the time of year again when we put our efforts toward helping others at the start of their trade experience. The Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarship is now in its seventh year, with over 200 scholarship tool bags being provided to promising apprentices around the country. The scholarship has been designed to assist the struggling apprentice with a boost of belief from the organization where they work or train, in the form of masonry tools and masonry swag.

Who Is Open To The Scholarship?
We believe the apprentice who has a year or more left in their basic training is a great candidate.

How Is The Candidate Selected?
Recipients of the award are selected by the team at Mortar Net Solutions, who evaluate the students and decide by early October each year.

What Does The Scholarship Consist Of?
The scholarship is an industry-wide sponsorship by many of the manufacturers that you deal with each day. A tool bag consisting of all branded, sponsored items will completely set the student up with every tool they will need through their remaining years of training and long into their careers.

Is This A Graduation Gift When A Student Does Well?
Typically, this is a tool bag designed for the apprentice with remaining training, not a graduation gift.

Who Can Sponsor A Student?
An industry professional in the educational or contracting field can submit the names of students for approval by contacting Steven Fechino at Mortar Net Solutions.

Does The Sponsor Of The Student Have Any Further Requirements?
Yes, several things need to happen. First, presenting the scholarship should be the biggest day of their career. Nothing short of a big deal should be made of the presentation, where family, school, and/or contracting management staff should be invited. Receiving this award is simply a great big deal!

Second, video and still photographs should be taken during the presentation, along with photos of the family, mentors, instructors, friends, and supporting guests. All photographs and videos must be submitted directly to Jerry Spelic (jerry.spelic@keenebuilding.com) and Jason Pribble (jason.pribble@keenebuilding.com) by December 15, 2026.

Industry Sponsors
The sponsors that have contributed to the scholarship over the past few years have provided amazing, branded items for the recipients to increase company awareness for the companies that build this industry each day. Industry sponsors include:

  • Kapro, Inc. - Four-foot spirit levels, tape measures, specialty masonry tri-square
  • Bon Tool - Masonry hand tools
  • Utah Masonry Council - Branded hats
  • Brick Industry Association - Spacing rules
  • Malta Dynamics - Specialty hard hats
  • Advance Building Products - Jag clamps
  • Clemson University - Daily journals
  • Build Productions - Branded T-shirts
  • Lincoln Electric - Safety glasses and welding gloves
  • PROSOCO - Branded T-shirts
  • Trufast Walls - Carhartt hats
  • U.S. Tape - Spacing, modular, and oversized Rhino rules
  • Glen-Gery - Horsehair brush
  • McGee Brothers - Knives and hammer holsters
  • Keene Inc. - T-shirts, line blocks, twigs, water bottles, small tape measures
  • York Mfg. - Carhartt hats
  • Grout Grunt - Grout Grunt scoops
  • Wire-Bond - Folding knives
  • Mortar Net Solutions - Branded canvas masonry tool bags, masonry hand tools, mortar pan
  • Mason Contractors Association of America - T-shirts, stickers, hand tools, hats
Mortar Net Solutions is constantly working to improve the Masonry Apprenticeship Scholarship and is actively searching for additional sponsors. We have special pricing programs for contractors and manufacturers who may not have branded items to offer, but we can help create branded masonry items in most cases. Sponsorship has its benefits, as we will promote each company logo on social media platforms; branded items will follow the apprentice through their masonry path, and articles in this magazine will appear twice a year. The best part of being a sponsor is that you are part of a life-changing event for the young mason apprentice.

Please help make this the biggest year ever and support tomorrow’s upcoming masonry class nationwide with industry-wide support.

Remember, one over two and drink more water.


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