Skilled union craftworkers who build with brick, tile, stone, marble, terrazzo, plaster and cement start their careers as apprentices with BAC and receive their training through union training programs sponsored by the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and their Local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees.

While many BAC locals have a long tradition of local or regional apprentice contests, this was the first BAC/IMI event open to the thousands of BAC registered apprentices throughout North America in 40 years. The last BAC Apprentice Contest was in 1963.

The winners competed against other finalists, all of whom had won local and/or regional contests plus international semifinals, in each of six crafts: brick, tile, stone, marble, plaster and cement.

“These winners represent levels of skill that are truly extraordinary, especially considering how early they are in their careers,” says BAC President and IMI Co-Chair John J. Flynn. “It’s a testament to their dedication to their craft, and to the union industry’s commitment to quality training.”

IMI is a joint labor-management cooperative program of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and the contractors who employ its members. Its core programs are quality craft training and technical assistance to the design and building communities  The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents 100,000 skilled masonry workers in the United States and Canada.  It is the oldest construction union in North America. For information on BAC go to www.bacweb.org for IMI or International Apprentice Contest participants, go to www.imiweb.org.

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents 100,000 skilled masonry workers in the United States and Canada. It is the oldest continuously operating construction union in North America.