Local 5 Ohio Apprentice on Fast Track

When Local 5 Ohio bricklayer Tom DeAlexandro signed on as a non-union mason tender, he knew he was searching for something more. After a series of jobs that did nothing to increase his skills, DeAlexandro turned to a friend’s father, a Union bricklayer, who steered him toward a BAC apprenticeship program. Soon, he was paired with a reputable mason contractor and placed in skill building classes that promised to deliver what he had been searching for—a career with a future.

For DeAlexandro, one of the many problems he found with working non-union was the length of time it takes to learn anything of value. “There’s a lot of resistance. They don’t want to help people get ahead.”

“Tom is the kind of young person we need to attract to the building trades. He’s bright, energetic, and understands the realities of the working world.” —Anthony McCullough, Apprentice Coordinator, Local 5 Ohio

Knowing his way around the construction site, however, helped jump-start his apprenticeship, and he progressed at a fast pace. Already, DeAlexandro’s worked on a number of masonry projects including Middleburg Heights Community Recreation Center, Cleveland Stadium, Lutheran Hospital, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

After three years of laying brick, block, some stone, and attending weekend and evening classes, the 24-year-old apprentice became a journeyman on August 15.

“The Union package is a good deal,” says DeAlexandro. “The hours, good wages, health insurance, and overtime pay all add up. I’m especially looking forward to getting this round of vacation pay. A fund that I pay into gives me a check for $1,500 every six months. To me, that’s money in the bank.”

DeAlexando’s long-term prospects may involve going into business for himself. “Becoming a contractor might be a good route for me. I think I’d like to run a company whose business is building beautiful buildings.”