Complete Story
10/02/2026
OMA: 191 Students Get Hands-On With Masonry
Taking Masonry Into Ohio's Career Centers
Keith Young Reaches 191 Students in September
Hands-On Outreach Across Ohio
Throughout September, Keith Young represented the Ohio Masonry Association at career centers and community events across Ohio, introducing students to masonry through hands-on training and industry education.
In just one month, Keith worked with 191 students, giving them an opportunity to experience the trade firsthand and learn about the many career paths available within the masonry industry.
Putting the Tools in Students' Hands
Keith's visits are about more than simply talking to students about the masonry industry. Whenever possible, he puts the tools and materials directly into their hands.
Students worked on skills including mortar spreading, trowel use, bed and head joints, brick and block placement, bond patterns, laying brick to the line and checking their work for level and plumb.
Keith also introduced students to the range of opportunities available within masonry, including careers as laborers, masons and operators as well as opportunities in estimating, supervision, manufacturing and sales.
Keith's September Outreach
| Noble County Fair September 1-5 • 7 Students Basic masonry skills including spreading bed and head joints and laying brick to the line. |
| Scioto County Career Center September 9 • 17 Students An introduction to the masonry industry and the many career opportunities available to students. |
| Greene County Career Center September 11 • 31 Students Hands-on brick and block instruction with students and instructor Nick Watkins. |
| Millstream Career Center September 22-23 • 83 Students A two-day hands-on event covering both block and brick masonry with instructor Malachi Abbott. |
| Coshocton County Career Center September 24 • 38 Students An introduction to block masonry with instructor Brad Scherlek. |
| Ohio Hi-Point Career Center September 28 • 15 Students Students practiced mortar placement, setting block and checking their work for level and plumb. |
83 Students. Two Days. Plenty of Competition.
Keith's largest September stop came at Millstream Career Center, where he worked with 83 students during a two-day hands-on masonry event.
Day one focused on block masonry, including block mortar, bed and head joints and setting block. Students finished the day with a three-block stack-bond speed competition.
Day two shifted to brick masonry, with students learning brick mortar, bed and head joints, brick bond and laying to the line before taking part in a 30-second bricklaying competition.
From first-time trowel use to bricklaying competitions, Keith's September outreach gave students across Ohio an opportunity to experience masonry for themselves.
Building the Next Generation
Keith's work in Ohio's career centers is helping students see that masonry is more than a skill. It's an industry filled with opportunities to build a rewarding career.
OMA is proud to support this outreach and the effort to put masonry in front of more students throughout Ohio.