Mason at Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 908
at Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 908 in Cape Girardeau, MO
About This Program
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 908 sponsors this union Mason Apprenticeship program in Cape Girardeau, MO. As a JATC-affiliated program, it is jointly administered by union representatives and contributing employers, ensuring that apprentices receive standardized, high-quality instruction while earning wages and union benefits throughout their training.
The program is 3 years in duration and combines 6,000 hours of on-the-job training with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn cement finishing techniques including flatwork, screeding, floating, and troweling; develop skills in layout, surface texturing, and form work; and gain experience with the full range of cement mason tools and materials. Classroom studies cover trade math, materials science, construction safety, and professional masonry standards.
Graduates achieve journey-level mason status with union-backed credentials recognized across Missouri and neighboring states. Journey-level masons in union programs typically access negotiated wage scales and comprehensive benefit packages, making this a highly competitive pathway into a skilled trade career in the Cape Girardeau region.
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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