Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools and the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers of New Jersey are expanding skilled trades education with a new four-year Masonry and Hardscape Design program that starts in the 2026-2027 school year.
The program will run through Passaic County Technical Institute’s School of Construction Technology in Wayne, New Jersey. Organizers said the effort responds to demand for skilled masonry professionals across the state and marks the return of masonry education at PCTI.
Coursework will focus on traditional and engineered construction using brick, block, stone, and concrete. Students will get hands-on practice with mortar mixing, brick and tile cutting, flooring work, and building walls, arches, fireplaces, and other masonry structures.
Classes are planned for 15 students at each level. Training will use classrooms, workrooms, and an outdoor area outfitted with the materials and tools needed for field-style instruction.
John Capo, director of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers of New Jersey, said the partnership gives students a place to develop skills in a safe, collaborative setting while building a foundation for a trade that keeps evolving. PCTVS Chief Administrator Dr. Joseph Sabbath said bringing masonry back to PCTI connects students to high-skill, high-wage, high-demand career paths, with options to enter the workforce or continue training.
For mason contractors, the curriculum lines up with real jobsite fundamentals. Mortar handling, unit cutting, and wall and arch construction show up early in a bricklayer’s career, and structured training in those tasks can tighten the gap between the classroom and production work. The district also said coursework will track industry trends, with training tied to best practices and technology used in today’s skilled trades.
Read the full, original article from Insider NJ here.