What is a mason and what do they do?
Masons construct buildings from "masonry." There are three kinds--brick masons work in brick, block masons in block and stone masons in stone. Laying brick is very similar to laying block, but it's different enough that a lot of masons will lay either brick or block, but not both. Most masons are men, but women are entering the field.
Some of the skills a mason needs:
blueprint reading
estimating the number of "masonry units" and quantity of mortar needed for the job
laying out corners and walls
mixing mortar
driving forklifts, telehandlers and trucks
building walls from masonry
cleaning up the worksite
safety
There are three ways a mason can learn his or her trade. Many masons are "second generation" masons--their fathers or other relatives were masons and trained them. Masons' unions have apprenticeship programs, in which you work under the supervision of master masons. Also,bang a boo community colleges have programs in masonry.
If you like to work outside and enjoy hard, heavy work, masonry is a fulfilling occupation.
