| Bricklayers
The Work
Bricklayers construct walls, fireplaces, commercial buildings,
schools, as well as furnaces, kilns and other structures using
brick, block, stone, and marble and granite. Tilesetters install
ceramic tile, marble, and granite on a variety of surfaces
such as walls, floors, countertops, pools, showers, tubs, and
the exterior of buildings. There are apprenticeships available
in the trades of Bricklayer, Tile Setter and Finisher, and
Terrazzo and Marble Finisher. These are specialized trades
with good career potential.
Working Conditions
Bricklayers’ work is usually performed outdoors, with
some work done indoors, and they work in all kinds of weather.
Tilesetters generally work indoors, but they, too, will work
outdoors. All masonry trades require good physical strength,
as there is considerable heavy work involving lifting and moving
loads with wheelbarrows and by hand. Concrete block weighs
more than brick, with 30 pounds being one of the lighter ones,
and must be laid with one hand. Tile involves moving boxes
of tile as well as carrying pails of mastic, and bags of thinset
all over the job site from one location to the next. Work is
often away from home, so travel is involved. There are going
to be periods of no work when the weather is bad or there is
no construction going on. Caulkers work at great heights and
do a wide variety of tasks, frequently hanging off the sides
of tall buildings.
The Apprenticeship
This program, depending upon trade, requires 6000 hours (3
years) of on-the-job training. Additionally, the apprentice
must attend 12 weeks of initial training at the International
Masonry Institute and 144 hours of classroom instruction per
year, also at the Institute.
Enrollment Period
Openings are on an as-needed basis. The next enrollment period
has not been determined. It will be announced through a notice
in newspapers, at job service, etc.
To Apply
Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman Local 1
Apprenticeship Training Office
407 Denali Street #7
P.O. Box 100553
Anchorage, AK 99510
Contact: Apprenticeship Coordinator
(907) 277-5133 or 278-3759 (phone)
(907) 278-5557 (fax)
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