SPECIAL EDITION: 

BRICKLAYERS & ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS OF NEW JERSEY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM & CONTESTS

JUNE 17, 2022

Registered Apprenticeship programs have formal training with regular reviews and clearly defined and guaranteed progressive wage scale increases and fringe benefits. These programs are nationally credentialed and well known for quality skills development and safety training by qualified and certified instructors. They are privately funded through collective bargaining contributions for every hour a union craftworker works and are jointly administered by labor and management committees. Labor and management fund this training with over $1.3 billion a year across the country via these hourly contributions, as reported by the North America Building Trades Unions (NABTU), without the burden of student loans or government grants.

BAC ADC of New Jersey (BACADCNJ) Apprenticeship Program

John Capo, BACADCNJ Director

Labor Unions, over the decades, have provided their members with improved wages and benefits that provide healthcare for their whole family and a retirement with dignity. One benefit that at times gets overlooked is the training and education offered by the construction unions. In my estimation, the BACADCNJ apprentice program plays just as important a role in the wellbeing of our members, employers, and the future of the union, as does the training of the next generation of craftworkers.

A 12-week pre-job training program is the first step, where they get familiar with the “tools of the trade” and the application methods, before they even become a DOL registered apprentice. Then, they must complete 144 hours of related training per year for 4 years. Here they are exposed to classroom and hands-on training, technical training in flashing installation, scaffold safety, high lift training and OSHA 10 and 30.

Although this training helps these young men and women reach journey worker status, there is no better training than “on the job" training where they are exposed to real life job conditions and get to absorb the knowledge and skills of the journey workers they are working next to. Many times these apprentices need a chance and a bit of patience, and they will become true craftworkers who will be the next generation of bricklayers, cement masons, plasterers, PCC, etc. I’m sure many of you who own masonry construction companies are better owners now than when you started. That all came with experience and at times, I’m sure, patience.

There is no better display of the excellent training these apprentices get and the talent they have than when we hold our annual Statewide Apprentice Contest. We would love to see our employers and industry partners come and see for themselves that the future of our industry is bright.

I know union contractors are proud to be paying fair wages and good benefits to your employees. You should be just as proud to be part of training the next generation of craftworkers. I think you may be surprised at the talent they have. Come see for yourself anytime.

Visit www.bacnj.com to learn more about the BACADCNJ. Anyone interested in apprenticeship can start an application on their website.

Statewide Apprentice Contest held May 7, 2022, at the IMI/BAC Training Center in Fairfield

Tom Doherty, BACADCNJ Statewide Apprentice Coordinator

This year’s Statewide Apprentice Contest had one of the best turnouts we have had with over 100 in attendance.

All the competitors did a great job at building the project they were assigned, and all that tended kept the mortar supplied to them. The competition really showed the apprentices’ impressive skill levels.

It really meant a lot to the apprentices, and everyone in attendance, to see several politicians there talking with them and showing their support for unions.

Special thanks to Belden Tri-State Building Materials for donating 4,000 bricks, the judges who took time out of their busy schedules to spend the day and observe the build, Masonry Contractors of New Jersey for sponsoring breakfast and finally the Labor Management Committee for sponsoring lunch. 

Donor Spotlight

Masonry Contractors of New Jersey extends sincere appreciation to Belden Tri-State Building Materials for their generous donation of 4,000 bricks for the contest. Belden is a founding Associate member of Masonry Contractors of New Jersey, and remains a strong supporter of the Association, and our industry; this donation is a testament to that.

Belden, specialists in architectural building products, serves the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania regions and has served the architectural and construction community since 1930.  www.btsbm.biz

BAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest



Winners of the state contest go on to compete at the BAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest at BAC Local 1 PA/DE Apprenticeship and Training Facility in Philadelphia, Pa. on June 23, 2022. Here they get to compete against other apprentices from locals from Maine down to Maryland. The winners of that contest then go to compete at the BAC/IMI International Contest in Boston scheduled for September 23-24, 2022.

All contestants will be scored on manipulation, safety, and cleanliness during the contest. Following the conclusion of the contest, judges are scoring projects for measurement, level, plumb, etc. 

Wishing New Jersey contestants, listed below, good luck!!

BRICK - Connor Clark, Ed Guerreiro, Quamir Miller and Alex Penna

CONCRETE - Alec George and Brian Tighe

PCC - Betsy Bertran, Gladys Gafanhao and Jeff Voacolo

BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest

Apprentices from around the U.S. and Canada who placed in a Regional Contest will compete for the title of International Champion in their craft on September 23-24, 2022 at The John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston.

Here, apprentices must demonstrate the mastery of their craft, with hands-on and theoretical skills, through building challenges and written tests. We hope to see New Jersey contestants compete for, and win, the honor of International Champion!