Every three years, the top tile-lay- er apprentices in the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) head to Bowie, Md., tools in tow, to compete for a top score in a rigorous test of hands-on skills and technical knowledge. Organized in conjunc- tion with the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF), which provides training for BAC members and is funded through the International Masonry Institute (IMI), the triennial event celebrates the trowel trades and the trade workers committed to learn- ing them through BAC’s appren- ticeship program. California’s David Perez earned the highest score, but, said IMTEF’s Lupe Ortiz, “They’re all winners.” He explained that the 13 appren- tices – who spent a day being closely scrutinized by top BAC/IMI tile instructors and craftworkers from various parts of the country – had won the similar competi- tions held at the local and region- al levels to advance to this final round. Ortiz was one of the contest judges, a role befitting someone who has trained scores of appren- tices in California and is known by many in the industry as a stickler for strict adherence to installation standards and quality. He is now a regional director of apprenticeship and training for IMTEF. Apprentice competition tests hands-on prowess and book learning From mud to mortar, BAC/IMI contest highlights benefits of training Sponsored by TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– By Stephanie Samulski, NTCA Director of Technical Services A schematic showing what apprentices’ finished test modules should look like 78 TileLetter | November 2018