Cement Mason at Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons OPCMIA LU 21 & 538
at Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons OPCMIA LU 21 & 538 in Des Moines, IA
About This Program
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons OPCMIA LU 21 & 538 sponsors this cement mason apprenticeship in Des Moines, IA. This employer-sponsored program trains workers in concrete finishing and masonry skills through a structured combination of hands-on field work and classroom education. Apprentices earn wages throughout the training period, making it a practical, debt-free entry into a skilled construction trade.
The program runs for 3 years, with 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. On the job, apprentices work alongside experienced masons to learn concrete pouring, finishing, smoothing, and patching for a range of commercial and residential applications. Classroom hours address safety practices, concrete technology, construction math, and tool proficiency.
Upon graduation, apprentices are qualified cement masons ready to work independently on a wide variety of construction projects in the Des Moines area and throughout Iowa. The trade provides durable employment prospects as infrastructure investment and building activity continue to drive demand for skilled concrete workers.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Cement Mason
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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