Masonry Schools in New York City

Thanks to the occupation’s significant emphasis on talent and creativity, it is common to underestimate the importance of formal training for a mason. While it is true that masons are usually highly talented and creative, they still need training on crucial aspects of the profession, such as blueprint reading and mathematical skills, before they can kick-start their career as masons .

This is true for masonry workers in New York as it is true for other cities. Thankfully, New York is home to some of the country’s best masonry programs, encompassing formal training schools and apprenticeships.

We take a concise yet detailed look at some of these below.

However, if you’re considering other skilled trades within your city, you can check our selection of top carpentry schools in New York City to get started. Carpenters create, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. Like masonry, carpentry offers a rewarding and lucrative career path.

How to Become a Masonry Worker in New York City

The steps involved in becoming a masonry worker in New York City are direct - have a high school diploma or GED, obtain training from any institution of choice, and proceed to secure employment.

As you’ll notice below, our list of training destinations for aspiring masons in New York City includes both academic programs and apprenticeships organized by trade unions.

Both are viable alternatives with numerous benefits.

For instance, training in academic programs helps with technical solidity, while activity in an apprenticeship program provides a lot of hands-on experience.

It is also worth mentioning that New York has no mandatory licensing requirements for masonry workers, except those who have to work with cranes and asbestos.

Top Masonry Schools in New York City

The following are the top masonry schools in and around New York City:

Alfred State College of Technology

Alfred State College of Technology, a part of the State University of New York college system, must be one of the best places to study to become a mason in New York - or even the entire country.

The program is ranked number one in the entire country for colleges with masonry. It is also known for producing highly skilled graduates with an in-depth knowledge of the field.

Another highlight of the program is that students get to participate in real-world projects, such as foundation building, veneer installation, and chimney construction, even before graduation.

Additionally, students will also learn how to estimate and build masonry systems, how to supervise workers, how to implement safety on job sites, how to read construction drawings, and how to perform computer-based research.

Graduates may go on to practice in any field of masonry or become salespersons, expediters, or contractors.

International Masonry Institute

The International Masonry Institute in Long Island offers rigorous training for aspiring craftworkers and future masonry contractors. The program is adamant about teaching the fundamentals of design and construction through a team of instructors consisting of professional masons, architects, and engineers.

According to the program website, the school’s team of super instructors offers what no other program can, which is “in-depth expertise and training in all forms of craftsmanship design and installation.”

The school also prides itself on offering marketing training so that graduates are sound in their primary duties and can market themselves to future employers and customers.

Bricklayers and Allied craftworkers

The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) has numerous local chapters all over New York wherein aspiring masons can train for a successful career under the tutelage of qualified instructors.

One such training center, the BAC Local 1 Chapter in Long Island City, holds its training at the John B. Scola Training Center; the Local 2 chapter is located in Center Drive, Albany, while the Local 3 chapter has its activity at the Buffalo/Niagara Falls Training Center in Williams Street, Buffalo.

Regardless of which chapter students enroll in, the organization follows the same principles: producing technically sound masons through an age-old system combining both classroom instructions with rigorous hands-on training.

Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

The Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights uses the NCCER curriculum to consistently bring up new batches of qualified medicines under the supervision of competent instructors.

The school emphasizes hands-on learning, which allows students to practice all of the theoretical principles they are being taught in the classroom. Students also get to work on real-world construction projects so that by the time they graduate, they are ready to deal with the actual demands of the job.

Classes are held on-site and occur between August to May every year. The ABC and the NCCER support the program.