www.ProMasonry.

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is aggressively addressing the opportunity of recruiting and training new masons for our industry. Currently, there are fourteen apprentice programs running throughout the state with approximately 300 apprentices enrolled. It is estimated that 300-500 new masons per year are needed to support demand; therefore, the MAF along with the Florida Concrete & Products Association formed the Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation to add new and expand existing masonry apprentice programs.

The Florida Masonry Apprentice & Education Foundation was created in 2002 to add new and expand existing apprenticeship programs and offer education to the masonry industry.

Masonry industry training programs have enrolled 1,012 1st year students since 2002. Total students trained since 2002 is 1,747. There are approximately 2000 beginning students in Floridas high schools, trade-technical schools and other construction technical education centers being pre-trained in masonry construction. Currently there are 14 masonry apprentice programs in Florida, training 300 apprentices each year. Masonry is taught in over 200 high schools in Florida exposing 10s of thousands of students to the trade each year! Florida masonry apprentice programs graduate 4055 journeyman masons every year! Masonry apprentice training utilizes a standardized curriculum through a partnership with the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), based in Gainesville, Florida.

Recognizing the need for promotion, the Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. created the ProMasonry Initiative, whose mission is: to inform and educate decision makers in the construction industry as to the advantages of masonry over alternate systems. One of the first educational seminars is the Structural Masonry Design Seminar, a four-hour CEU course given by Dr. Russell Brown. Russell Brown, P.E., Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. Dr. Brown is also immediate past chair of the ASTM C-15 committee on Manufactured Units. The seminar is being held throughout the state of Florida 20072009. For more information and seminar dates, please visit: www.masonryeducation.org

Represents $2.1 billion in construction activity; 528 million concrete block produced and installed in the state; 195 million brick installed in the state; Over 8,800 masons & tenders employed; 300+ new skilled masons needed per year; Current apprentice programs are graduating 4055 masons per year; Florida has the 2nd* highest number of working masons in the US...behind New York! Florida will employ more masons than any other state by the year 2012! Job growth in the masonry occupation will increase by 3000 jobs by the year 2012! * US Department of Labor statistics

The Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the MAF, Inc., and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) has developed this course catalog of available training programs:
Industry Application of Masonry Application of Masonry Program Mason Tender Program Principles of Masonry Construction Program Related Training for the Skilled Mason Foreman Leadership Skills Program Blueprint Reading Structural & Non-Structural OSHA 10 Hour Program OSHA 500 Occupational Safety & Health Standards for the Construction Industry NCCER Craft Certification Training Program

Certified masonry courses are offered to the masonry and construction industry to increase the professionalism and success of the masonry trade in Florida. More info: www..masonryeducation.org