Masonry ROCKS!

Future Demand for Craftsmen is So Strong that Expanding Masonry’s Workforce Means Tapping into New Channels.

The Department of Labor says the US needs to create 31,400 more masons by 2025 to replace mason retirement attrition and to meet increased demand for qualified masons. Which begs the question, from where will the masonry industry find newly qualified masons? The short answer is they must be recruited and trained.

How does that opportunity occur? For masonry the answer is expanding communication to a wider audience of potential students, and just as importantly to their support groups—peers, parents, and academic advisors. By creating educational partnerships between the student stakeholders and the masonry trade we can achieve the goal of expanding masonry apprenticeship training programs in Texas

Regional Masonry Showcase Events

Sign your school up for a one-of-a-kind, interactive construction EXPERIENCE! The masonry construction industry has teamed up to showcase the trade and the career opportunities that can be built by laying one brick at a time. Each semester the TMC and its local partners put on this event in key regions of the State in an effort to reach as many schools as possible and spread the masonry message.

1 Day. An Immersive Learning & Recruitment Experience.

Opening Orientation & Safety Brief, Mortar Mixing, Mud Spreading, Hands-On Bricklaying, Scaffold Building, Tool I.D. and Demonstration, Career Opportunities & Recruitment Fair

Event Hosts & Major Suppliers:

Thank you to our hosts and sponsors who are an integral part in making the Masonry ROCKS! Program possible. Explore each company further by clicking the logo below!

Seeing Is Believing - Check out Previous Events:

Masonry Rocks!

Career Program

HIGH SCHOOL MASONRY DAY

Barbara Jordan Career Center

High School Masonry Day

Belton High School

Teachers and School Adminstrators

Click to Download Masonry Rocks! Brochure.

What we offer

There is a lack of schools in Texas teaching basic masonry skills and TMC wants to bring back masonry training programs. Schools that begin teaching Masonry Technology I (TEA Service ID 13006300) will receive the full support of the Texas Masonry Council and the state-wide masonry industry.

Schools teaching TEA-approved Masonry Technology I will receive full support, including donations of the following:

  • Brick
  • Concrete Block
  • Stone
  • Reusable Training Mortar
  • Basic Masonry Tools
  • Instructor Training and mor

The demand for more skilled masonry professionals has never been greater. The Construction Labor Market Analyzer predicts there will be over 107,000 TEXAS jobs available in the industry by 2026.

Texas Masonry Council staff will will work with your students from start to finish to place them with contractors that are experienced in hiring young people interested in learning a skilled trade.

TMC's Masonry Instructor portal

Check out the instructor portal below for information on training opportunities, classroom setups, project drawings, and more.

frequently asked questions about starting
a masonry training program at texas high schools

The short answer is “Yes!” Masonry classes are fully approved and are part of TEA’s Architectural and Construction Pathway.  Masonry Technology I (TEA Service ID #13006300), Masonry Technology II ( TEA Service ID # 13006400, and Practicum in Masonry Technology (TEA Service ID #’s 13006450 & 13006455) are all ready to be taught.

Yes. Schools can offer NCCER Level 1, 2, and 3 Masonry Certifications to help get your students ready for entry in to the workforce.  We know certifications are important metrics for students and schools and TMC will help support certified programs.  But, often times certifications are not necessary for entry into the commercial and residential masonry workforce.  Training can be completed on the job while getting paid and can be supplemented with in-house apprentice training or Masonry Apprentice Programs at local communality colleges.

In general masonry training in North America today is a combination of classroom and on-the-job apprenticeship training covering four or more years to produce a journeyman mason. To train, most masons enter a masonry certificate program (2 to 4 semesters long) or pursue an apprenticeship (3 to 4 years long) with an experienced mason.

Since the 1970’s in North America, vocational skills training has been challenged by a cultural belief that only a four-year college degree is a pathway to economic success. The result: vocational student numbers became fewer over the passing years resulting in masonry training programs being cut back or dropped altogether by the schools because of a lack of students.

Today the pattern of increased demand for qualified masons combined with declining masonry student enrollment has created a “perfect storm.” But the good news is there are several organizations actively working to help fill the gap.

More detail on everything needed to start a masonry program can be found in the Masonry Instructor Portal, but for a quick answer you need 4 main items.

Space – Indoors or outdoors. You will need some space to lay down masonry projects and for storage of materials.

Material – Brick, block, stone, and mortar.  You will need some of the basic materials of masonry to build with.  TMC member manufacturers have been very generous with donations of materials to schools looking to teach masonry and these items can often me delivered at no cost to the school.

Tools – A full list of tools and equipment can be found in the instructors portal.  When buying masonry tools for your classroom make sure to work with TMC as we can often work with our members to get you much reduced pricing for education uses.

Instructor – You will need an instructor with basic masonry and trowel skills or an instuctor willing to spend some time learning those skills.  TMC and our member contractors are eager to help train any vocational instructor in the state that wants to develop the skills necessary to teach masonry.

No matter what part of the State (or country!) we travel to, the overwhelming concern of every mason contractor we meet is where can we find enough quality masons to do all of the work? Nationwide, contractors are looking for masons that are well-skilled with a dedication to the trade and its’ legacy. Providing high school students with career and technical education like masonry provide students with a wealth of opportunities–including the ability to generate a steady income immediately after graduation while receiving debt-free advanced education. Not only will students have the ability to earn money, they will also gain life skills and experiences that will make them successful in BOTH career and LIFE. 

The Texas Masonry Council has a prestigious group of members and industry partners committed to promoting and advancing the industry across Texas. Together, we have local contractors and craftsmen who can come to your classroom and train instructors, who can host instructors on job sites and in masonry education programs, sponsor training and education for local educators, and much more.

Contact us today to see how we can help in your school!