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High school students should take construction courses that focus on measuring and estimating skills such as building shop and trade courses. Knowledge of hand tools, power tools and material handling equipment is important.

Completion of high school classes do not count for hours in the apprenticeship program, but the experience and classes taken are valuable to building students’ skill set.

A two-year diploma is not required to qualify for an apprenticeship with Local 633. However, degrees obtained in construction-related fields can be evaluated for credit. Call Local 633 at 612.379.1558 prior to signing up for post-secondary opportunities to confirm credits transfer.

Credits for apprenticeship may count through schooling in a construction field through North Hennepin Community College. Call 651-783-8422 to confirm credits transfer.

The cement mason apprenticeship with Local 633 is a three-year paid program in which apprentices receive on-the-job practical training and classroom instruction. Apprentices must complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom work each year. Find the application, here. There is no tuition fee.

Applications are accepted year-round and contractors usually sponsor apprentices from first week of April through the first week of October. A candidate must be sponsored by a contractor to start an apprenticeship. View a list of contractors here. Local 633 recommends calling contractors to connect about their availability to sponsor an apprentice.

Candidates are not required to take an aptitude test.

When a cement mason apprentice can demonstrate competence in vital skills, the apprenticeship will be complete and participants will graduate as journey-level construction trades workers, called journeys. After joining the union, apprentices will be eligible for healthcare and dental insurance after 350 hours of work is completed in a quarter.

Military members applying for cement mason apprenticeship should connect with Helmets2Hardhats Minnesota.

Manual dexterity, spatial perception and the ability to estimate size and dimensions are key skills for cement masons. The work is very physical, so it requires healthy individuals with good stamina. Cement masons in Minnesota must be willing to travel for work. Local 633 covers Minnesota, North Dakota and Western Wisconsin.

For high school students preparing to become a cement mason, part-time jobs that require hand-eye coordination, good vision and estimation can build valuable experience.