Hello everybody,
It is difficult to write an upbeat report in economic times like these, but there are some good things to share. 

We are excited about all the upcoming upgrade classes here at the Training Center this fall. Pervious Concrete is on the schedule for September 18th and October 16th.  If you haven't got your certification yet, we highly recommend that you do.  Many pervious concrete projects are upcoming in this rapidly growing segment of our industry, and most of these jobs require certifed installers.  We are also offering another round of classes in Concrete Polishing on October 16, 23 and 30.  We have had over 60 members complete this 3 day class and some of those members have gotten employment because of that training.

Vertical Stamp class is also coming up on November 6th. We held this class a few months ago for the first time, it was attended by both Cement Masons and Plasterers, and it was a huge success.  It is back by popular demand, with more than 40 people signed up to take it.  Concrete Countertops also had a good turn out and will be scheduled again soon. These are just a few of the classes we offer at the Cement Masons Training Center.  If you are interested in these classes, or in finding out what other classes are available, please contact us at (206)762-9286.

Fall classes for apprentices will run September 13th - October 2nd.  Classes will focus on Troweling Machine and Exposed Aggregate for the 2nd Year apprentices and F-Numbers and Superflat for 3rd year students.  For the first time in memory, we are not holding a 1st Year Apprentice class.  We have not enrolled a new class of apprentices due to the lack of job opportunities.  We hope to have a Survival Day next spring to start training new apprentices. 

Even in times like these, we need to have more first term apprentices for a couple of reasons - to help our signatory contractors on work that they bid composite crew so they can utilize these lower paid apprentices to keep a competitive edge, and to maintain a trained workforce as journeymen retire.

I would like to congratulate the following 2009-2010 graduates from the Cement Masons Apprenticeship:

Nick Alvarado, David Burk, Travis Cooper, Jesse Curtis, Da'wan Dubois, Domonique Eastland, Blanca Esqueda, Samson Faasuamalie, Eduardo Garfias-Castro, Christopher James, Matt Jorgensen, Peter Kainz, Jr., Rick Kaye, Eric Kitazi, Michael McCall, Nathan Norman, Paul Orris, Richard Palmer, Arnold Prewitt, alex Reinke, John Shanburn, Carlos Tamayo, David Thorp, Trevor Tomich, Carlo Torrejon, Robert Tyler and Cory Vasboe.  

These individuals take great pride in our craft and I am proud to know them.  I would also like to acknowledge our most recent Students of the Year Pat Adcock, Josh Detienne and Matt Jorgensen.  Congratulations to these future leaders.  And I would like to take this opportunity to thank our two Mentors of the Year, Darren Pike and Isaac Strong.  We had more contenders for this prize this year than ever before, and a tie for the first time.  All were recommended by our apprentices.  Thanks to both of you for taking the time to coach and teach our young men and women.  You are both great in leading by example.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me at (206)762-9286 or frankbenish@gmail.com.

Fraternally,
Frank Benish