You Load 15 Tons and What Do You Get?
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fifteen tons of BerkshireTM veneer, donated by Indiana Limestone Company (ILCO), were among the raw materials used in the 2018 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest, held in early October at the John J. Flynn National Training Center in Bowie, Md.
Top apprentices from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) gathered from across U.S. and Canada on Oct. 5-6 to compete in the contest. Twenty-four winners from eight categories – brick, cement, tile, marble, terrazzo, plaster, pointing-cleaning-caulking/restoration, and stone – demonstrated mastery of their crafts through advanced hands-on challenges and written tests.
All of the apprentices previously competed in regional contests held by IUBAC locals. The winners were honored in an awards ceremony in Washington.
“We like to say that we’re the best hands in the business,” remarked Jim Boland, IUBAC president, to a crowd of apprentices and BAC leaders at the ceremony. “And we say that because it’s true. Our dedication to high standards is what separates us from the rest, and we maintain that with our training.”
BerkshireTM is part of ILCO’ Estate Veneer Series. The split-faced, full-color-blend natural stone can be used as an accent piece for indoor or outdoor fireplaces, interior or exterior walls, or walkways.
“From our point of view, it’s very important to support masonry apprenticeship programs,” said Duffe Elkins, ILCO COO. “The skills these developing craftspersons are acquiring make them essential to the markets in which we operate.”
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