Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

 Recently, I attended the World of Concrete for the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500. This competition puts bricklayers on the world’s biggest stage in Las Vegas. Over 450 international exhibitors from around the world with well-known brand names like Stabila, Hilti, Husqvarna, Makita, and Stihl. BAC members from across the country competed in the masonry contests, including the Apprentice Masonry Skills Challenge, the Fastest Trowel on the Block, and the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500.

This event is the second largest tradeshow in Las Vegas and covers more than 700,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. During the Masonry Skills Challenge at the World of Concrete, BAC apprentices displayed their talents. Every year, World of Concrete serves as the cornerstone where concrete and masonry professionals exchange knowledge and hone skills that propel businesses forward.

The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Championship competition took place on Wednesday, January 24, and gathered large audiences to watch enthusiastically as bricklayers from around the country competed for the grand prize. The winner of this year’s competition laid an astounding 752 bricks in one hour to defend his title. Michael Schlund who is a BAC member from Wisconsin defended his title. Once again crowned as the World’s Best Bricklayer, taking home a trophy, cash prizes, and a brand-new Chevrolet truck.

The World of Concrete is an annual event and regional events to qualify will begin around the country, starting in the summer. These local competitions include Block laying, Bricklaying, and Masonry Skills Projects for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year apprentices.

The Local 3 Joint Apprentice Training Committees will host our 2024 Apprentice contests. Brick, Marble, PCC, and Terrazzo will compete on Saturday April 6th at the Mason Development Center in Tracy. The Tile Laying Contest will be the week after on Saturday April 13th at the NorCal Tile Industry Apprenticeship Training Center in Livermore CA.

These programs have improved their curriculum with the Department of Apprenticeship Standards in the last few years and the results are impressive. The quality of the Local 3 apprentices continues to increase our signatory contractor’s efficiency on projects. All BAC Local 3 Apprentices programs have open enrollment throughout the year.

In Solidary,

Jordan Mondragon