Mason at Oregon & Sw-Wa Cement Masons JATC
at Oregon & Sw-Wa Cement Masons JATC in Portland, OR
About This Program
Oregon & SW-WA Cement Masons JATC sponsors this union Mason apprenticeship in Portland, OR. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it is jointly governed by union and employer partners to ensure consistent, high-quality training aligned with industry needs in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The three-year program includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn concrete finishing, form work, surface leveling and texturing, plaster and stucco application, and job site safety — all under the guidance of experienced journeyman cement masons. Classroom instruction covers construction math, material properties, and applicable codes and regulations.
Graduates earn journeyman cement mason certification and benefit from union membership, which typically includes negotiated wages, health care, and pension contributions. This JATC program is a well-established route into one of the construction industry's most dependable skilled trades in the Portland metro area.
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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