Mason at Or Sw-Wa Mason Trades JATC
at Or Sw-Wa Mason Trades JATC in Portland, OR
About This Program
OR SW-WA Mason Trades JATC sponsors this union Mason apprenticeship in Portland, OR. Jointly managed by union and employer representatives, this JATC program provides structured, standardized training for apprentices entering the masonry trades in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The three-year, time-based program includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under the supervision of journeyman masons on real construction projects, developing skills in brick and block laying, stone work, concrete finishing, mortar mixing and application, and safe job site practices. Classroom instruction addresses trade theory, construction math, and regulatory requirements.
Graduates leave the program as certified journey-level masons with union credentials recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest. The combination of paid training, union membership benefits, and a portable journeyman certification makes this apprenticeship a strong starting point for a career in the building trades.
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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