Apprenticeship-Training for the Future

By Randy Smith, Field Representative

Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz Counties

In April I had the opportunity to attend the Bricklayers, PCC and Tile Setters Apprenticeship Contests.  I was very proud to see the enthusiasm and growing skill level of our apprentices in action. Apprentices are the new life blood of our crafts and trade.



Our BAC 3 Apprenticeship Programs are some of the finest programs in the construction industry, providing both hands-on and classroom training for Brick, Marble, PCC, Terrazzo and Tile.  Program instructors are journeyman BAC 3 members, and the coordinators and support staff are all a part of programs that are approved by the State of California.  Apprenticeship programs are funded through the contributions of BAC members and state funding. 



In an effort to continually train new apprentices, BAC 3 has invested in new facilities and equipment to provide an excellent environment in which to teach and train for the future.

The Mason Development Center is located at 25347 South Schulte Road in Tracy, California.  This new block and glass block building has state-of-the-art equipment and is able to house the Apprenticeship Programs for Brick, Marble, PCC and Terrazzo all under one roof.

The Northern California Tile Training Center is located at 15091 Wicks Boulevard, San Leandro, California.  This modern location houses the Tile Setters and Finishers Apprenticeship Programs.

Each facility is complete with Apprenticeship Offices, Classrooms and Work Station



Each year, qualified apprentices are selected to compete on the local level for the opportunity to advance in the competition.  This annual event allows us to select our top apprentices to represent BAC 3 at the Western States Apprentice Contest.

The Brick and PCC Contest was April 2 in Tracy.

Finishing First for Brick was Nick Prater, second was Tim Birmingham and third went to Brian Sunquist.  PCC winners were Noel Bermudez, first place, Alberto Santillan, second place and finishing third was Jesus Rojas.

The Tile Contest was April 14 in San Leandro.

The Tile Setters placed as follows: First, Luke Ginthum; second, Pablo Rodriguez; third, Brian Monteiro.  The best finisher was Ernesto Moreno, Jr.

Advancing to the Western States Apprentice Contest in Las Vegas, by trade, are:

Brick-Nick Prater; Brick-Brian Sunquist; Brick-Clint Dossa; PCC-Manuel Valencia.

Tile-Luke Ginthum; Tile-Pablo Rodriguez; Tile-Brian Monterio.



Apprentices are the future of BAC 3.  Most job sites have an apprentice who is working side-by-side with the journeymen to gain on-the-job skills and confidence in their craft.  Our BAC 3 members, from apprentice to journeyman, are part of the brotherhood where we build the future together.

Journeyman- I encourage you to reach out to the Apprentices, giving them skillful guidance and helping them to learn good practices so that they will carry on the tradition of excellent union work.

Apprentices- I encourage you to learn from the knowledge, experience and skills of the Journeymen, asking questions and employing skill techniques that will allow you to grow into successful Journeymen yourselves.



It takes all of us to grow and maintain BAC 3, but our future depends on continuing the tradition of brother helping brother and our Apprenticeship Programs are at the forefront of this effort.  Thank you to all who teach, support and participate in building our future.