high school masonry - skills usa

There is a continual need for skilled craftsmen in Tennessee. The state as a whole has enjoyed a long history of masonry construction. Because of these facts, the Masonry Institute of Tennessee is committed to masonry education in the state. Our efforts in high school masonry programs began in 1998. Each year, MIT members sponsor at least seven high school masonry programs so that the instructors receive the full benefits of all MIT members. High school students who participate in the masonry programs at their schools are invited to compete in SkillsUSA at the state level each year. The winner of the competition is then qualified for the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City. Since MIT’s involvement began in 1998, every state level SkillsUSA winner (first, second, and third place) has come from a sponsored school. At the national level, over the past 12 years of our involvement, we have had 3 4th places and in 2010, Brandon Bolden (pictured above) from Claiborne County High School finished first place! We recognized Brandon and his instructor, John Hatfield, at our Excellence in Masonry award ceremony at the 2010 AIA TN annual convention. We commend every student’s hard work and look forward to seeing them develop their skills and build their futures.

Pictured below, winners of the National SkillsUSA competition.

(click to enlarge)

Apprenticeships

In order to become a journeyman mason, an apprenticeship must be completed or other approved training program. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction and can last from two to our years. While tuition is usually charged for training, apprentices can “earn while they learn” at a rate of 50% to 90% of journeyman wages during their on the job training. Also, most apprentices’ tuition is covered by their employing contractor, lowering their out of pocket expense.

There are three masonry apprenticeship programs in the state of Tennessee: Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville.

Masonry apprentices can also compete with their skills. This year at the International Masonry Skills Challenge at the annual World of Concrete convention, Tennessee apprentice masons won first place at the second and third year level and third place at the first year level. A finish in all three categories has never been achieved by another state before!

Michael Sapp	Daniel Sapp	Bradley Lovin