Job Description
The masonry trades include several occupations. Bricklayers construct walls, fireplaces, chimneys, industrial furnaces, kilns and other structures using brick, cement, cinder blocks, stone and marble. Marble setters cut, tool and set marble in interior and exterior walls and floors. They repair and polish marble that is already set in buildings. Terrazzo workers cover floors, stairways and cabinets with durable and decorative surfaces made of sand, cement, pigment and marble chips. Tile setters install ceramic tile, marble and granite. Finishers supply and mix construction material for the trades listed above. They apply grout, finish surface areas and clean. They move installation materials, tools, machines and work devices to work areas. Caulker/pointer/cleaners caulk new and existing masonry buildings and also do some waterproofing. They restore existing and old historical masonry buildings. They clean and seal new and existing masonry buildings to include graffiti removal.
 
Working Conditions
Bricklayers usually work outdoors in all types of weather. Marble setters, tile setters and terrazzo workers generally work indoors. There is considerable bending and heavy lifting for most masonry work. At times masonry workers must work at heights. Concrete blocks are used more than bricks, often weighing 30 pounds or more, which must be lifted with one hand. Caulker/pointer/cleaners work primarily outdoors and most definitely at heights. They use a lot of personal protective equipment due to heights and working with chemicals. There may be periods of unemployment between jobs.
 
Wages
Beginning apprentices start at about 50 percent of the journey-level wage. Upon successful completion of required class work and on-the-job hours, wages increase usually every six months, until the journey-level rate is achieved. See Appendix A for specific wages.
 
Length of Apprenticeship
Bricklayer, caulker/pointer/cleaner, marble setter, terrazzo worker and tile setter apprenticeships are three-year programs. The finisher program lasts one year. Apprentices must complete a minimum of 144 hours per year in related classroom training for all occupations, and approximately 6,000 on-the-job training hours for the bricklayer, caulker/pointer/cleaner, marble setter, terrazzo worker and tile setter occupations. Apprentices complete approximately 2,000 on-the-job training hours in the finisher program and advance at 500 hours.
 
Minimum Qualifications
Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 18 years of age. In addition, they must provide proof of high school graduation or general education development (GED) equivalent. Local apprenticeship committees may require additional qualifications. 
 
Apprenticeship Committees 
 

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MA# 1008	Oregon SW-WA Mason Trades JATC 503-234-3781 or 1-800-224-0358 www.bac1or.org	Statewide
MA# 1065	Oregon Columbia Masons TATC 503-256-7300 or 1-800-309-1442 http://www.nwcoc.com/	Areas 1, 2, 3, 7

 
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