SSCS senior Natalie Strohm (center) works with classmates on a masonry project at the Capital Region BOCES CTE Center in Schoharie.
Today we feature two SSCS seniors, Andrew Dennis and Natalie Strohm, who are in their second year of the Building Trades program at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus.
As part of their preparation for a possible career in the construction industry both students are learning masonry skills through a BOCES partnership with the Upstate Masonry Institute (UMI).
This masonry exposure initiative introduces students to the Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers trade while taking a hands-on approach to learning the fundamentals of masonry with brick and block.
“Providing the masonry training in conjunction with UMI is expanding their resumes and building strong, transferrable skill sets,” said Nancy Liddle, BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships.
The job outlook for brick masons is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of brick masons and other masonry workers is projected to grow 8 percent through 2030. New York state is one of the highest employment areas for this trade and the median salary for brick masons is about $53,000 a year.
“Masonry is a good skill set to have,” Natalie said. “I think it’s great we are having this experience.”
Andrew, who hopes to get into the carpenters union when he graduates, couldn’t agree more.
“With masonry, I enjoy seeing the finished product,” he said. “I like working with my hands and building something from nothing.”
Good luck to both of these Spartans as they prepare for their futures!
SSCS senior Andrew Dennis tries his hand at bricklaying at the Capital Region BOCES CTE Center in Schoharie.
