The need for more durable walls and ceilings is creating heightened demand for artisans practicing this age-old craft.

Plastering and cement masonry are among the oldest trades in the construction industry, dating back centuries. Their work can be seen in historic buildings as well as structures being developed today.

These professionals are truly artisans. Along with creating extremely durable interior walls and ceilings, their work is marked by ornate designs that give the finished product special grandeur.

Walking through older buildings, their work manifests itself in elaborate ornamental plasterwork on walls and ceilings.

Today, most of their work entails making walls and ceilings flat and strong to achieve a finished product much more durable than basic sheetrock. Aside from its resistance to nicks and gouges, plaster walls can also be given texture to provide a decorative finish. Another advantage of plaster is that it is also more fire resistant than other interior wall materials. It also contains sound better and is used when acoustical factors must be taken into account.

Plasterers first apply a brown coat of thick gypsum plaster that provides a base, followed by a finish coat that is a mixture of lime, plaster of Paris and water. This second coat, called the "white coat," sets very quickly and produces a very smooth, durable finish. Though demand for plasterers was once in decline, that trend has reversed. Builders more and more are using plaster again for interior walls and ceilings. The reason for this trend is an appreciation for the superior durability of plaster. Thin-coat plastering-or veneering-in particular is gaining wide acceptance as more builders recognize its ease of application, durability, quality of finish, and fire-retarding qualities.

Cement masons use concrete-a mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel, and water- to finish concrete walls and floors for high-rise buildings, stadiums and a host of other commercial and multi-dwelling structures. Most of today's high-rise buildings are made entirely of steel reinforced concrete and cement masons are the men and women who create the walls, floors, ceilings and exterior.

There is much more to the cement mason's job than laying cement. They must make sure it is precisely aligned with other parts of the structure and that it is perfectly smooth. As a cement mason, you will learn screeding, the process of cutting off excess concrete to bring the top surface of a slab to proper grade, and floating, creating a smooth service.

Properly trained cement masons are able to create a durable surface that is both aesthetically pleasing and resistant to cracking.

Salary and Benefits
Aside from choosing a career that best suits a student's skills and will allow him/her to perform tasks they truly enjoy, compensation potential is the most important factor for young people thinking about their future livelihoods.

The following is a current range of salaries for plasterers and cement masons. The exact wage depends on jurisdiction. Wages are periodically adjusted upwards to reflect increases in cost of living.

Journeyman Deputy Forman Foreman

$34.00 $37.00 $38.00

Plasterers and Cement Masons also earn attractive benefits, including:

• Healthcare for entire family • Pension • Annuity • Disability Insurance • Vacation

Work Conditions
Most plastering jobs are indoors, protected from the elements. Plasterers often work on scaffolds high above the ground. Plastering is physically demanding, requiring considerable standing, bending, lifting, and reaching overhead.

Cement Masons often must work outside, carrying out their task regardless of extreme heat or cold. Since most finishing is done at floor level, workers must often bend and kneel in performing their task.

Career Outlook
According to the Federal Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), the demand for plasterers is expected to increase at a rate of 10 percent or better through the year 2010. The enhanced demand will be driven by a trend of increased use of plaster over drywall for interiors.

The job opportunities for concrete masons will increase at a rate of 6 to 9 percent, according to the OOH. Demand will be impacted by improvements in worker productivity - such as improved concrete pumping systems, quicker-setting cement, and improved equipment.

Apprenticeship
New Jersey encompasses three different jurisdictions for the plasterer and cement mason trades. Depending on the jurisdiction, a cement mason apprenticeship lasts three to four years, comprising 3,000 to 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. In all jurisdictions, plasterer apprenticeships are four years, entailing 6,000 hours. Apprentices also must complete 144 hours of classroom instruction per year.

The training curriculum for plasterers and cement masons is different. However, both plasterer and cement mason apprentices undergo extensive safety training at the start.

Apprentices in both crafts begin with rudimentary tasks such as carrying equipment and materials. However, soon they are mixing plaster and cement and eventually perform even the most advanced tasks under the supervision of an experienced journeyman.

The curriculum for plasters includes: blueprint reading, lathing, white coat application, the application and repair of ornamental plaster, stucco application, finishing of drywall, acoustical and fire proof spraying, veneer coat application and skim coating.

The curriculum for cement masons includes: properly using trowels and other hand tools; operating trowel machines; accurately estimating the amount of mix for each project; edging, grooving and shaping cement; setting and cutting out expansion joints; using saw cutting machines; laying and troweling down top coat, brushing down and smoothing out.

Adding to the value of the apprenticeship is the fact that apprentices are paid from the beginning. For instance, apprentices in Hudson County begin making half the journeyman rate -- $16 per hour in 2004 -- in their first year and are rewarded with steady increases every six months thereafter. By their final year they are earning more than $30 per hour. Benefits also are included for apprentices.

Interested students should check with specific jurisdictions (see Contact section) for respective apprentice wage rates.

Requirements
The requirements for admission into the Operational Plasterer's and Cement Mason's Apprenticeship Program are:

• 18 years of age or older • Completed the 11th grade or obtained a G.E.D. • Physically able to perform work • Appropriate transportation

Candidates will be subject to a medical examination prior to employment and will take the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB), which measures 9 aptitudes in 12 short tests ranging from general intelligence to manual dexterity.

Applicants will be interviewed by members of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee and will cover such factors as interest in the trade, attitude toward authority, ability to meet apprenticeship requirements, physical ability and education record.

Aptitude Test Prep: Math, general science, general shop.

Profile
Students who have the following characteristics are ideal allied craft apprentice candidates:

• Executes projects in a careful and neat manner • Moderately agile • Not afraid of heights • Willingness and aptitude for learning

Contact

For Information Regarding a Career in the Operative Plasterer and Cement Mason Trade:
	Training Director Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 29 130 Central Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 653-2065