Mason at Cement Masons Local #111 JATC
at Cement Masons Local #111 JATC in Tonawanda, NY
About This Program
Cement Masons Local #111 JATC, based in Tonawanda, NY, sponsors this union Mason apprenticeship through a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee serving the greater Buffalo-Niagara region. As a union JATC program, apprentices are placed with signatory employers and benefit from structured wage increases, union representation, and access to industry benefits throughout their training.
The apprenticeship spans 3 years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices focus on concrete placement and finishing, mortar and cement application, surface preparation, layout work, and job-site safety. Classroom instruction complements field training with coursework in masonry materials, construction math, and safety regulations specific to cement mason work.
Graduates of the program become journey-level union cement masons, fully qualified to work on a variety of commercial, industrial, and public works projects. Union journeyman status in Western New York typically brings access to health coverage and retirement benefits, along with stable, well-compensated work throughout the construction season.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$24
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Mason Career Outlook
National Median
$24.19/hr
~$50,315.2/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Mason employment is projected to grow moderately, supported by commercial construction and infrastructure investment. Demand is strongest in regions with active building and renovation markets. Retirements in the existing workforce are creating additional openings. Masons with restoration skills or concrete finishing certifications have the best prospects.
What to Expect as a Mason Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Mason
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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