What They Cover.
The Apprenticeship Path.
BAC apprenticeships are managed through the International Masonry Institute (IMI), jointly funded by BAC and MCAA contractors. Bricklaying, masonry, tile setting, terrazzo, and marble installation are distinct classifications with their own curricula. IMI training centers provide hands-on instruction in actual masonry construction.
Applications are through local JATCs, not the international. Find your local's JATC website, check when they open applications (often 1–2 specific windows per year), and have your high school diploma/GED, transcripts, and algebra scores ready. Aptitude testing is standard at competitive locals.
Major Locals.
Chicago area bricklayers and allied craftworkers. Active in commercial masonry and institutional tile work throughout the region. Training through the International Masonry Institute.
New York's bricklayers local covering all masonry classifications including terrazzo, which is extremely rare and well-compensated. Active in commercial construction and institutional projects.
Northern California's BAC local covering masonry and tile throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley. Active in commercial and institutional construction.
The Honest Take.
- 01International Masonry Institute training centers produce craftspeople with strong fundamentals
- 02Terrazzo and marble work is highly specialized with limited competition
- 03Tile installation is recession-resistant — commercial and institutional demand is steady
- 04Apprenticeship builds genuine craft skills — masonry is not easily automated
- 05Strong in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic — BAC locals have significant market share in these regions
- 01Physical demand is very high — bricklaying is hard on hands, wrists, and backs
- 02BAC is smaller than most building trades — fewer locals and thinner geographic coverage in some regions
- 03Masonry construction has decreased in favor of prefab and alternative materials in some market segments
- 04Tile and stone work has significant non-union competition in residential markets
- 05Pointing and caulking is skilled but lower-paid than bricklaying — classification matters
Trades covered.
All trades →Browse the trades directory for detailed wage data, apprenticeship requirements, and state licensing information for each classification.
Trades directory →