Building all-masonry homes: the many benefits combined with an ever-improving economic picture make these types of homes a potentially tremendous untapped market for the contractor - masonry - Brief Article

Masonry Construction, August, 2002 by Ron Holzhauer

"Even though it was a costly endeavor for a small company, I began my own apprentice training program. After trial and error I have refined my efforts into an extremely successful 18-month apprentice program. I have created about 100 dedicated, highly qualified journeyman bricklayers over the years, many of who still work for the company or retired from here. My turnover is practically zero."

Pat Halloran's training passion is obvious within minutes of meeting him. He believes that the development of in-house apprentice training is the key to solving the industry's manpower shortage and the return to high quality masonry workmanship that was common in the past, but too often suffers today.

His search for new employees took him to some unusual places. "I went after those men who society said were not worthy," commented Halloran. "Many of my best employees were once high school dropouts or prison parolees, where the pool of talent is almost limitless and many of them are hoping that someone will throw out a lifeline.

"I treat them fairly and with respect and offer them an opportunity for a well-paying profession without regard for their past. My program teaches them how to be excellent bricklayers, as well as dedicated, honest, hard working men that are proud of what they do and are welcome in the community.

"On the other end of the employee scale, I have had a former trial lawyer, music education major, and electrician go through the program. Regardless of the individual's background, the program operates on the `my way or the highway' principle," summarized Halloran.

Training Program

Three apprentices are moving through the 18-month program simultaneously, but they may not all start together. The men earn about $12 an hour to start, which translates into about a $70,000 cost each year for the company.

The apprentices are taken into the field immediately and build structures by themselves, with Halloran doing the supervising and training. They build walls or other small structures and tear them down until they know how to do the job. The timetable for each apprentice to "get it" varies.

Three of these new men who had never held a trowel before starting, plus Halloran, built a sizeable all-masonry addition on the contractor's home. Apprentices also built several other structures on Halloran's farm during their training exercises. "If people have the inclination, you can teach them to be a great bricklayer," stated Halloran.

Many contractors may not have the desire or staffing to develop a training program, or want to avoid the sizeable expense. But as Halloran points out, each of the guys that become journeyman bricklayers are in essence "million dollar men" for his company.

After 18 months the bricklayers move out to work on multimillion-dollar projects with little or no supervision. These jobs generate significant profit returns for the company and over the course of their career probably earn the firm a million dollars or more. "You can't match that return with any investment I am aware of," he explained.