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Hey i wanted to know was Cement Masonry, Pre-Apprentice a good career ?
#career #career-choice #career-counseling #career-paths
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Jesse W.’s Answer
Do you like to work outside? Masonry is an ancient craft that will always be in demand. Laying brick, stone, and block is hard work, pays well, and there is a severe shortage of masons. That drives wages up. You get used to the work and the master masons will teach you safety and how to ease the workload.
The work is dirty, but it all washes off. You should use a hand lotion from time to time as the cement in mortar can damage skin.
Robotics are currently used in masonry for big projects. So, you may need to learn how to run them. Also, there are many forms of work using cement or similar materials. Concrete finishers, plasterers, drywall finishers, tilers, and the crafts associated with these are also in high demand and the skills are transferable. They pay very well. By your 4th year (journeyworker status) in the craft (and if you save your money), you should be able to afford to buy a new vehicle and a house.
Big projects may be in another city or country. So, you may be required to travel. Travel has positives and negatives. On the positives, you get higher paychecks, get room and board (food), and get to see new places. On the negatives, you are away from home, family, and friends, and may miss homecooking (you eat out a lot when traveling). Experienced travel workers know how to work the per diem (food and lodging pay) to additional advantage.
Finally, if you spend a semester or two in the pre-apprentice program, you will learn a lot of good skills, learn to make better career decisions, and even if you choose a different route, the skills and thinking go with you.
Go to https://bacweb.org/ and see what they are about
Do an internet search on Mason Jobs
Go to https://constructioncareers.org/careers/cement-masons/
The work is dirty, but it all washes off. You should use a hand lotion from time to time as the cement in mortar can damage skin.
Robotics are currently used in masonry for big projects. So, you may need to learn how to run them. Also, there are many forms of work using cement or similar materials. Concrete finishers, plasterers, drywall finishers, tilers, and the crafts associated with these are also in high demand and the skills are transferable. They pay very well. By your 4th year (journeyworker status) in the craft (and if you save your money), you should be able to afford to buy a new vehicle and a house.
Big projects may be in another city or country. So, you may be required to travel. Travel has positives and negatives. On the positives, you get higher paychecks, get room and board (food), and get to see new places. On the negatives, you are away from home, family, and friends, and may miss homecooking (you eat out a lot when traveling). Experienced travel workers know how to work the per diem (food and lodging pay) to additional advantage.
Finally, if you spend a semester or two in the pre-apprentice program, you will learn a lot of good skills, learn to make better career decisions, and even if you choose a different route, the skills and thinking go with you.
Jesse W. recommends the following next steps:
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Luke’s Answer
As Jesse has stated, brick laying is a dirty job, you'll be working outside, but masonry professionals are always in demand. Trenton, I notice you are also in Chicago. Take a look at all of the 2 and 3-story walk ups that required refreshed tuck pointing. Not to mention the new builds and copious amounts of other types of unique projects. Ultimately you'll have to ask yourself if you'd like a job that requires physical labor.