Masonry programs are offered at community colleges, four-year universities and at trade and vocational schools. According to Education-Portal.com, the two largest schools where masonry is offered are Salt Lake Community College, which is a two-year public school with an enrollment of 29,396 and Palomar College, which is a two-year public school with an estimated 26,805 students as of 2011.
Each school has its own requirements for enrollment, not only in the school but also in the masonry program. Many times apprenticeships for students are sponsored by local contractors. Students must be healthy and young, ideally between the ages of 18 to 25. A typical program requires 144 classroom hours and 4,800 hours of training on the job. Some programs cater to the working individual and have classes at night.
The focus of masonry training programs is to prepare students for real-world experience in the field of masonry. Although curriculum is different from one program to another, basic skills focus on the history of masonry, work safety, mapping blueprints, supervising employees and cost management strategies. Training also focuses on teaching students how to handle tools, lay tiles and foundation, construct walls and set up chimneys and fireplaces.
Although there are no requirements for schools to hire professionals to teach masonry, the preferred schools by employers are those that only hire professionals to ensure their students receive the best training. Check with the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) to verify the school you attend is accredited. Employers may view you as a better candidate for hire if you attend an accredited institution.