Mason at NM State Conference of Plasterers & Cement Masons Apprenticeship Program
at NM State Conference of Plasterers & Cement Masons Apprenticeship Program in Albuquerque, NM
About This Program
The NM State Conference of Plasterers & Cement Masons Apprenticeship Program, located in Albuquerque, NM, offers this employer-sponsored Mason apprenticeship for individuals entering the masonry and cement finishing trades. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program, making it an accessible route into a skilled construction career.
The apprenticeship lasts 3 years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop proficiency in masonry layout, brick and block installation, cement and mortar application, surface finishing, and worksite safety. Classroom instruction addresses construction mathematics, materials knowledge, and the safety codes relevant to masonry and plastering work.
Completing the program leads to journey-level status in the mason trade, with skills applicable across residential, commercial, and civil construction projects throughout New Mexico. The Albuquerque region continues to see steady construction growth, providing strong employment prospects for qualified journeymen entering the workforce.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Mason
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in New Mexico
Masons in New Mexico are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division.
View full New Mexicolicensing requirements →Reviews
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