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 Mason Apprenticeship in Bellwood, Illinois. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program, this apprenticeship carries the backing of both union labor and signatory employers, providing apprentices with strong training standards and union benefits from day one.
The program spans 3 years, encompassing 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn cement finishing, flatwork, decorative concrete, and masonry installation through hands-on site work. Classroom coursework covers trade mathematics, materials science, blueprint reading, and OSHA safety requirements.
Upon completion, apprentices achieve journey-level status within the union, which typically comes with negotiated wages, benefits, and continued access to union job referrals. A union mason credential through Local #502 is widely recognized across the greater Chicago construction market and beyond.
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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