Cement Mason at Cement Masons' Local #502 JATC
at Cement Masons' Local #502 JATC in Bellwood, IL
About This Program
Cement Masons' Local #502 JATC sponsors this union cement mason apprenticeship in Bellwood, IL. As a JATC program, it is jointly overseen by union labor and employer partners in the Chicago metro area, ensuring training standards meet both craft excellence and real-world contractor requirements. Apprentices earn wages from the beginning, providing a paid path to journeyman certification without the cost of traditional schooling.
This 3-year apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn concrete placement, screeding, floating, and trowel finishing on a variety of commercial and infrastructure projects. Classroom instruction covers concrete technology, safety regulations, construction drawings, tool use, and finishing procedures for both standard and decorative concrete applications.
Graduates earn journeyman cement mason status, recognized throughout the greater Chicago construction market. Union membership through Local 502 connects journeymen to collectively bargained wages, health coverage, and retirement benefits, making this apprenticeship a strong foundation for a stable, well-compensated career in the trades.
Wage & Training
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
What to Expect as a Cement 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 Cement Mason
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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