APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

• All Applicants should set up an interview with the Apprenticeship Coordinator
• The state requires all applicants to have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Applicants should be in good physical condition and be able to lift at least 50 lbs. at least waist height repetitively
• All applicants should have a valid Minnesota Drivers License and a reliable form of transportation
• Tuition cost is approximately $350.00 per semester to be paid by the student

PLACEMENT IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

1. Pre-Job Training
   • Completion of six-week Pre-Job session
2. Sponsorship
   • The procurement of employment with a Signatory Contractor. If an individual finds a contractor that is willing to sponsor them as an Apprentice, that person may begin as a first year apprentice in the Fall semester
3. Evaluation Exam
   • If an individuals with previous related trade experience wish to enter the Apprenticeship they may request the written and practical evaluation
   • From the results of this exam the individual would be credited work experience hours and related training hours if necessary
   • They would then be placed in the Apprenticeship Program accordingly.
   • Evaluations are given by appointment only

In the event of a higher demand for apprentices in a given year, the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee may opt to conduct a separate summer training session. This session is named “Pre-Job” or “Pre-apprenticeship Training.”

This Session consists of six continuous weeks of mostly practical exercise. The intent of this format is to expose potential apprenticeship candidates to the basics of the trade. The training days run from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Upon successful completion of the Pre-job training an attempt would be made to find a placement for the Pre-apprentice with one of our signatory contractors. The next potential pre-job training session is tentatively scheduled for May 12th through June 20th, 2008.

DETAILS ABOUT THE SIX-WEEK PRE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

This training session will also provide a tremendous opportunity to become familiar with conditions that an apprentice may encounter on an actual project site.

A few of the topics that will be covered in this six-week program are listed below:

• Spreading of mortar with a trowel
• Measurement skills. Marking our placement for several different types/sizes materials such as concrete block, modular brick, and utility brick. Building simple masonry structures to the correct length, width, and height
• Work on ethics and apprentice conduct/attitude
• Project neatness and quality of overall workmanship

The students that are accepted into this program will be informed by mail.

• This six weeks of training will cost the student $700.00
• There will be a midpoint exam administered to evaluated the feasibility of the individuals continuation in the program
• All students that complete this training successfully and have perfect attendance will receive a $300.00 reimbursement from the international Union in the form of a stipend check
• At the conclusion of the program we will attempt to find you your first employment position with a signatory contractor. After you have been placed you would then be required to join the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union 1 Minnesota/North Dakota
• A student that successfully completes the pre-job training will be granted 1000 hours of work experience to apply toward their 6000 hour total hour requirement
• Ideally the student would remain gainfully employed with their assigned contractor and would resume training at the training facility on September 8th, 2008 as a registered first year apprentice

THE REGISTERED THREE YEAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

This program is a three-year program that requires the completion of 6000 hours of on the job training as well as 144 hours per year of related class room training.

• The training year runs from the beginning of September through the end of April
• In order to fulfill the 144 hours of related training requirement students must attend classes one day every two weeks
• The first year training courses concentrate on the development of manual skill such as spreading mortar proficiently with a trowel, measurement skill, and layout. This year is approximately 70% practical training, hands-on lying of brick/block; 30% theoretical classroom training.
• The second year training courses involve the refinement of manual skills with more complex projects such as radius walls, arches, and the use of a variety of materials and patterns. This training is about 70% practical and 30% classroom
• The third year of training involves blueprint reading, the use of natural stone for both interior and exterior applications, and the study of various anchoring techniques. This year’s courses concentrate more directly on the technical portion of the trade. The third year consists of approximately 60% classroom training and 40% shop training

Apprentices in this program also receive OSHA 10 hour safety certification course, the scaffold safety course, and first aid and CPR Training. We also offer a correspondence course for those who live too far away to attend the metro program. Upon successful completion of the three year of Apprenticeship, the student will also be reimbursed at least one half of the total tuition cost.

SCALE OF BRICK APPRENTICESHIP WAGES

MAY 1ST, 2007 THOUGH APRIL 30TH, 2008

TAXABLE HOURLY RATE

WHAT WE EXPECT AN APPRENTICE TO LEARN IN ON THE JOB TRAINING

Applications are taken the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 AM. On those days applicants will be given a 45 minute orientation explaining the training program in detail and a description of the fringe benefit package that accompanies the taxable hourly wage. Those benefits encompass such items as an International & Local Pension Fund and Health & Welfare benefits. The Current benefit package that a Bricklayer receives in addition to the taxable amount totals an extra $11.50 per hour. The entire orientation and application takes slightly more than an hours worth of your time.