Apprenticeship
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As a Union Apprentice you'll be enrolled in a state-of-the-art program of technical training designed to teach you the superior skills you'll need in your new career. You will go to work for a Union Contractor and receive a good wage, which will increase, as you accomplish your training program. Over time you will become eligible for medical benefits and a pension plan.
Each year through your Apprenticeship Training you will receive a minimum of 144 hours of combined classroom and shop instruction. Over the course of your Apprenticeship you will also receive 6000 hours of on-the-job training designed to educate you in all the theories and practices of the Cement Masons' and Plasterers' Crafts. Plus, while on the job you'll start at 70% of the journey workers area hourly wage rate, increasing progressively to 100% by graduation .
On The Job
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On your new union job, you will be able to acquire valuable work experience and put to use the knowledge and skills gained from your classroom and shop instruction.
As a Cement Mason You'll Learn:
- Basics of concrete
- Concrete form work
- Concrete finishing
- Curbs and gutter
- Laser and level training
- Construction math
- Blueprint reading
- Decorative concrete
- Super flat floors
- Concrete repair
- Epoxy-coatings, seamless, injections
- Tools, equipment and materials
- Foreman training
As a Union Cement Mason your on-the-job training will include:
- Screeding, floating and troweling of cement surfaces - 2830 hrs
- Surface preparation for waterproofing and finishing - 170 hrs
- Establishing elevation and grades, setting of screeds and forms for cement and concrete - 655 hrs
- Application of floor hardeners, coloring mastic and all other composition surfacing materials - 650 hrs
- Kinds and amounts of materials used in cement and concrete work - 340 hrs
- Protecting and curing work and material - 150 hrs
- Concrete steps, running bases and trims - 1085 hrs
- Proper care and use of tools - 120 hrs
Total 6000 hrs
As a Union Plasterer You'll Learn:
- Construction math
- Blueprint reading
- Ornamental
- Veneer plastering
- Fireproofing
- Taping
- Stucco
- USG interior finishing
- Special interior wall finishing
As a Union Plasterer your training will include:
- Plastering on gypsum lath - 200hrs
- Exterior cement stucco plastering - 1000 hrs
- Exterior Finish Insulaiton Systems (EFIS) - 1000 hrs
- Plaster coves - 100 hrs
- Taping wall boards - 200 hrs
- Plaster repair work - 200 hrs
- spray-on plastering and machine operation - 800 hrs
- Plastering on masonry work - 400 hrs
- Cement plastering, trowel or textural finishes - 400 hrs
- Mixing materials and scaffold erection - 200 hrs
- Ornamental plaster work - 300 hrs
- Acoustic plaster applied direct to steel and plaster bases - 200 hrs
- Veneer plastering - 1000 hrs
Total 6000 hrs
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For More Information About Becoming a Union Cement Mason or Plasterer Call 651-783-8422




