How to become A Cement Mason

• Masonry Worker
• Concrete Finisher
• Terrazzo Worker 
• Cement Patcher
• Concrete Floor Installer
• Concrete Mason
• Concrete Smoother
• Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
• Plasterer

What do Cement Masons do?

A Cement Mason would typically need to:

• Contribute to various aspects of construction projects, such as buildings, bridges and roadworks, by pouring, measuring, and working with cement and other products, including mortar and grout
• Measure, layout, smooth and finish diverse surfaces of poured concrete, such as driveways, floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs
• Build masonry walls and structures and align them with the help of levels and plumbs
• Safely and efficiently use masonry tools, such as those with specially designed blades, to ensure that a surface or material is smoothly set and patterned as planned
• Collaborate with the construction site manager or foreperson to obtain a precise and current plan of where cement needs to be applied or poured
• Estimate material requirements and ensure accurate marking out of areas by understanding blueprints and drawings
• Resize materials by breaking or cutting them as per the requirements
• Follow plans to inspect or lay, set and align the foundations, patterns or forms that keep the concrete in place and ensure that they are properly constructed and meet the pitch and depth requirements
• Ensure that any wood or plastic moulds or frames are properly placed, using wooden stakes, twine and metal ties to finalise and firm up the form and area 
• Use reinforcing rebar or mesh wires to fortify the concrete
• Mix cement, sand, and water in the right proportions to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, with the use of hoes, trowels, and concrete mixers
• Instruct truck drivers to pour the concrete if using pre-mixed concrete from a wet mixing batch plant; help in the process of pouring foundations
• Spread the concrete, levelling, smoothing, cleaning and polishing it with hand or power tools, such as trowels, floats, screeds, compactors, vibrators, groovers, edgers, jointers, and straight edges
• Use caulking materials to fill out the expansion joints and edges
• Apply blended mortar or grout on slabs or foundations, cleaning up any excess using trowels and other hand tools
• Mark and reinforce newly or recently cemented areas to ensure that they dry and set properly
• Harden and seal poured concrete using chemicals; monitor the hardening process to arrive at a smooth, uniform and durable finish, factoring in the impact of wind and temperature on curing 
• Install rainscreen water systems; apply sealants or waterproofing for protecting concrete

Cement Masons spend most of their day outdoors and sometimes indoors in muddy, dusty or dirty areas. When working outdoors, you may face unfavourable weather conditions, although the nature of the work does not allow it to continue during rain. The work requires strenuous physical effort, such as lifting heavy forms, tools, equipment and materials. Your work also requires you to stand, kneel or bend for long stretches of time.

Cement Masons are usually equipped with protective gear, including hardhats, safety glasses, kneepads, water-repellent boots, high-visibility vests, harnesses, respirators to filter out cement dust, and other apparel to prevent accidents and injuries.

As a Cement Mason, you may frequently travel for work to construction sites. You may work by yourself or as part of a team.

The majority of Cement Masons work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week, meeting constant deadlines and coordinating with other functions of a construction project. While you may need to work shifts, there may not be a fixed schedule, resulting in considerable overtime. Typically, Cement Masons work longer hours during summer, often starting their workday early morning.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Cement Masons can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Cement Masons are generally employed by:

• Foundation, Structure, & Building Exterior Contractors
• Concrete Product Manufacturers
• Other Specialty Trade Contractors
• Highway, Street & Bridge Construction Firms
• Nonresidential Building Construction Firms
• Residential Building Construction Firms
• Remediation & Other Waste Management Services
• Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution
• Corporate Managements
• Local Governments

Professional associations and organisations, such as the Confederation of International Contractors’ Associations (CICA), are crucial for Cement Masons interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Dealing with unfavourable weather conditions when working outdoors
• ​​Considerable exposure to mud and cement dust
• Extensive travelling that may be required according to the location of construction sites
• Heavy pressure and long working hours as once the concrete is poured, the work needs to be finished
• Lay off by small enterprises during the slow season
• Hazardous working environment with the risk of chemical burns from uncured concrete, falling off the scaffolding or cuts from equipment
• The need to wear protective gear 
• Health problems caused due to standing, bending or kneeling for long periods

Any academic program that a potential Cement Mason takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. Postsecondary training programs typically introduce you to the latest technologies and increase your employability. 

You may choose to learn by helping experienced masons. Sign up for internships during summer breaks to learn the craft by working under the supervision of experienced and senior Cement Masons. You will typically learn about operating hand tools, power tools and material handling equipment. You may also build a network with people you may work alongside shortly. 

An apprenticeship may be combined with masonry programs in technical schools. Often, unions and contractor associations sponsor apprenticeship programs, typically lasting three to four years before apprentices are qualified to work independently. You would learn about basic construction-related matters, including reading blueprints, measurement-oriented mathematics, building code requirements, and safety & first-aid. Candidates must fulfil the age requirements, be in good health, and be able to work well with their hands to qualify for apprenticeships. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in cement masonry to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum academic qualification for aspiring Cement Masons, although some employers may give greater importance to your experience and skills. 

Technical schools may combine apprenticeship training with masonry programs. Students learn about local building codes and how to draft, read blueprints, and estimate the cost of materials. Acquiring practical skills is typically part of the program.

Take high school courses in mathematics and science. Opt for construction courses, such as mechanical drawing and drafting. 

Certification demonstrates a Cement Mason’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

ACI Certified Cement Physical Tester and other relevant accreditations are highly valued across various industries. To decide on an appropriate certification, you may seek help from your mentors or study job descriptions of various companies to find out about the latest trends. 

An employment background check can include but is not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Once Cement Masons become proficient at their work, they may specialise in a particular aspect, such as form setting or concrete finishing. With further experience and training, they may progress to the role of Foreperson who manages materials and schedules and directs the “crew” to complete tasks on a job on time.

Advancing to more senior construction management roles, such as Superintendent or Supervisor, will put you in charge of the multiple crews that typically work on extensive commercial, governmental, or industrial projects. Advancement will likely result in new challenges and responsibilities accompanied by greater repute and sizable paychecks.

If you belong to a union, you may advance within its ranks. You may also diversify into building inspection or contract estimation if you upskill yourself. Cement Masons may become independent contractors once they have built adequate experience and a solid network.

Candidates with the necessary skills, education and experience in the construction industry have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Cement Mason build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Completing advanced apprenticeships with construction companies allows aspiring Cement Masons to gain hands-on experience with tools, equipment, machines, and materials of the trade. Depending on the company, you may be expected to dedicate a minimum number of hours per week as an employee. Your learning will typically take place on the job through a college or training provider, provided you meet the age and other requirements. As an apprentice, you may need to play the dual role of a student at school and a paid employee.

However, many Cement Masons learn through training on the job provided by experienced workers, including the different finishing, layout, and safety procedures.

Taking courses and attending workshops regularly throughout one's career can help a Cement Mason stay up-to-date on current industry trends and learn about new tools and technologies. You may also consider learning the application of hand tools, power tools and material handling equipment to further your career prospects.

Your Toolkit

Among the various tools and instruments in their kits, Cement Masons typically depend on the masonry hammer, square and saws, a mason’s line and level, trowels, straight edges, jointers, mashing hammers, mixing tools, blocking chisels, brushes, and the tape measure.

What Skills & Competencies Does a Cement Mason Need?

• Physical fitness, stamina and strength 
• Creative thinking to build elegant masonry structures
• Reading comprehension to follow safety manuals and instructions
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to set bricks seamlessly by applying smooth layers of mortar
• Teamwork and communication

What Are Masonry Walls?

Masonry walls are constructed from materials such as bricks, stones, tiles, ceramic blocks, adobe, and glass blocks and use mortar as their binding material. These walls are load-bearing and are used as structural walls in buildings.

What is the Difference Between Cement, Concrete & Mortar?

Cement is a powdered binding substance that goes into making concrete, mortar, stucco, tile grout, and thin-set adhesives. Mortar is a building and binding agent made up of cement, fine sands, and lime and is used when working with bricks, blocks or stones. Concrete is a blend of cement, sand, and larger aggregate (gravel). It is used for building strong and durable structures. 

​​Who Are Terrazzo Workers?

Some of the initial work of terrazzo workers is similar to that done by Cement Masons. In particular, terrazzo workers expose marble chips and other fine aggregates on finished concrete surfaces, thereby creating attractive flooring, walkways, panels and patios.

High resistance to both water and fire is one reason why reinforced concrete is a unique and globally used building material.

If you have a mind brimming with creative ideas and the strength to convert bricks and mortar to attractive, useful and lasting structures, then a career as a Cement Mason offers you the opportunity to combine work with play and turn a host of skills into a paying and satisfying career.

One way to summarise your work is to say that it begins with building a framework, goes on to pouring the concrete and finishing the surface, and ends by taking down the framework. However, keep in mind that pouring concrete to create a slab for a home’s foundation, a garage floor, patio, or driveway requires more attention to finishing the surface than the forming process. On the other hand, forming the framework is more critical than finishing the surface when pouring concrete to make loadbearing foundation walls used in homes and buildings.