Mason at West Virginia Area Plasterers & Cement Masons JATC
at West Virginia Area Plasterers & Cement Masons JATC in Charleston, WV
About This Program
The West Virginia Area Plasterers & Cement Masons JATC sponsors this union Mason Apprenticeship in Charleston, West Virginia. Administered jointly by labor and employer partners, this JATC program follows a structured curriculum developed to train apprentices to the standards of the plastering and cement masonry trades.
The three-year program involves 6,000 hours of hands-on, paid on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical experience in plastering, cement finishing, flatwork, and surface preparation, with instruction covering material properties, blueprint reading, trade mathematics, and job site safety protocols. Work experience is gained under the supervision of skilled journeymen on active construction projects.
Graduates complete the program as journeyman plasterers or cement masons with union credentials, positioning them for careers on commercial, residential, and public works projects throughout West Virginia. Apprentices receive wages throughout training, offering a strong alternative to traditional education for those entering the skilled 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.
How to Apply
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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