A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Cement Masons smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete such as: streets, floors, walls, sidewalks, or curbs, or of other concrete products, using variety of hand & power tools.

JOB DUTIES   

To view Cement Masons at work click here .

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

New products composed of materials other than concrete, such as resin, epoxies, and latex, are being used in the installation of floors, tanks, and surface coatings.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Cement Masons may specialize in these areas:

844.364-010  CEMENT MASONS smooth and finish the surfaces of poured concrete streets, floors, walls, sidewalks, or curbs, or of other concrete products.

869.664-014  HIGHWAYS AND STREETS CEMENT MASONS finish surfaces of freshly poured concrete roads, walkways, and curbs to specified grade and shape, using hand tools such as floats, trowels, and screeds.

861.381-046  TERRAZZO WORKERS apply cement, sand, coloring materials, and marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to attain durable and decorative surfaces.

844.684-010  CONCRETE RUBBERS finish surfaces of concrete products or structural elements after the forms have been removed. They mix sand, cement, and water in specified amounts to make a cement grout; wet the surface of the concrete being finished to ensure a good bond; fill holes and cracks with the grout; and smooth the surface, using a trowel. They also repair broken corners and chip, scrape, rub, and grind surfaces to obtain a specified finish.

844.461-010  CONCRETE-STONE FINISHERS finish ornamental stone facings and surfaces of concrete structural products, such as floor and roof slabs, highway dividers, grave markers, and ornamental flowerpots. Their duties are similar to those of Concrete Rubbers.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Cement Masons are members of one of the following unions and must pay union dues:  Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association of the United States and Canada or the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers . Union membership is concentrated in large metropolitan areas.

You Should Prefer:

• Using special machines, processes, or methods in your work

• Using tools to make things

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Work rapidly and accurately with your hands

• Follow set procedures and standards

• Compare/see differences in size/shape/form of lines/figures/objects

• Picture objects from drawings or diagrams

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Calculate amounts of concrete required for each job

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If one isolating footing required 1/2 yd. of concrete, how much concrete would be needed for a footing 3/4 as long?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend various kinds of cement for various cement masonry jobs.

For example, normal portland cement, modified portland cement, sulfate-resistant portland cement, portland-pozzolan, portland blast-furnace slag cements.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for a cement masonry job for a potential client.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills in studying job specifications and decision-making skills in determining which materials to use for various kinds of masonry jobs.

To become an apprentice, you must be at least 17 years old and pass written and physical examinations. Employers prefer workers who are licensed to drive.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

Construction and Building Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the needed knowledge and skills for employment in the many different types of construction and building jobs. Individuals who teach Construction and Building Technology at the secondary school level must have a  Michigan Teaching Certificate .

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

094   MASONRY

Programs in Masonry provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as a beginning Brickmason and/or Cement Mason.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program    

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

013   CEMENT MASON

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

046   TERRAZZO WORKER

Some people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

Building Terrazzo Steps/Curbs

Rolling/Toweling Terrazzo Fill to Grade

Laying out Pattern Designs from Sketches/Plans

Putting up Terrazzo Base/Wainscot/Scratch Coat

Laying Top Cement/Rodding Off/Mixing/Sprinkling Terrazzo

Making Pre-cast Terrazzo Steps/Floor Wainscot/Window Stool/Partitions

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check Military website at  http://www.myfuture.com .

CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS    

What They Do  

Construction specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Build foundations, floor slabs, and walls with brick, cement block, mortar, or stone

• Erect wood forming for building using hand and power tools, such as hammers, saws, levels, and drills

• Lay roofing materials, such as asphalt, tile, and wooden shingles

• Install plasterboard, plaster, and paneling to form interior walls and ceilings

• Lay wood and ceramic tile floors and build steps, staircases, and porches

• Build temporary shelters for storing supplies and equipment while on training maneuvers

Training Provided  

Job training consists of 5 to 8 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in working with tools and materials. Course content typically includes:

• Building construction

• Masonry construction methods

• Types and uses of construction joints and braces

• Interpretation of blueprints and drawings

• How to mix and set concrete, mortar, and plaster

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs in this occupation.

Physical Demands 

Construction specialists may have to lift and carry heavy building materials, such as lumber, plasterboard, and concrete. Sometimes, they climb and work from ladders and scaffolding.

Helpful Attributes    

Helpful school subjects include math, woodworking, and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:

• Preference for doing physical work

• Ability to work with blueprints

• Interest in using power tools

Work Environment  

Construction specialists work indoors and outdoors on construction sites.

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian construction specialists work for construction or remodeling contractors, government agencies, utility companies, or manufacturing firms. They perform duties similar to military construction specialists. They may also be called bricklayers, stonemasons, cement masons, cement finishers, carpenters, or cabinetmakers.

Opportunities  

The exact number of construction specialists in the military is unknown. After job training, construction specialists work on construction projects under close supervision. Initially, they perform simple work, such as form building and rough framing. With experience, they perform more difficult tasks. In time, they may supervise and train other specialists. They may become construction superintendents.

E-Learning Courses and Programs 

[back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

[back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

[back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

To find employers, click  Employer/Business Locator.

The employment rate of Cement Masons is tied to construction activity and the overall economy. Greater use of concrete as a building material will effect employment opportunities favorably. As the population and economy grow, more of these workers will be needed to help build apartments, offices, and industrial buildings; build and re-build streets and highways; and build other structures.

About 4,450 Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers, and Terrazzo Workers are employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas for general contractors and specialty contractors. A small number were employed by government public works departments and manufacturing firms.

Employment of Cement Mason in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 160 annual openings is expected with 70 due to growth and 90 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other job or occupations. In late 2008, there were 49 apprentices in training for this occupation, and 7 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months.  

A positive factor affecting the employment of cement masons is that concrete is increasingly being used to replace other materials in structural materials in large buildings, such as pre-stressed concrete columns rather than structural steel. Also, the addition of antifreeze compounds to concrete and the use of temporary, heat plastic shelters make more year round work possible.  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

[back to top]

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth