Construction workers wearing helmets and green shirts level wet concrete with a wooden screed on a building site.

Plasterer/ Cement

Become a Plasterer or Cement Mason in Georgia

OPCMIA Local 148 Apprenticeship & Careers

Plasterers and cement masons specialize in finishing concrete and applying durable surfaces that strengthen and protect buildings and infrastructure. Their work includes everything from pouring and finishing sidewalks and foundations to applying decorative plaster and architectural finishes inside buildings.

In Georgia, many workers enter the trade through a union apprenticeship with the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA) Local 148, which represents skilled plasterers and cement masons across the region.

If you enjoy hands-on work, building durable structures, and creating smooth finished surfaces, a career as a plasterer or cement mason can provide strong wages, paid training, and long-term career stability.

What Plasterers & Cement Masons Do

Plasterers and cement masons install and finish concrete and plaster surfaces used in construction projects.

Their work includes:

• Pouring and finishing concrete for floors, sidewalks, and foundations
• Smoothing and leveling concrete surfaces
• Installing decorative and architectural concrete finishes
• Applying plaster to walls and ceilings
• Installing stucco and exterior plaster systems
• Repairing and restoring damaged concrete surfaces
• Reading construction drawings and layout plans

These trades require precision, attention to detail, and knowledge of materials used to create durable and visually appealing surfaces.

Where Plasterers & Cement Masons Work

Plasterers and cement masons work on many types of construction projects throughout Georgia, including:

• Commercial buildings
• Sidewalks and public infrastructure
• Schools and universities
• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Stadiums and arenas
• Parking structures
• Bridges and transportation infrastructure
• Large residential developments

Their work often takes place during the structural and finishing phases of construction.

Example Projects Plasterers & Cement Masons Work On

Union plasterers and cement masons help build projects such as:

• Concrete foundations for commercial buildings
• Stadiums and sports facilities
• Sidewalks and public plazas
• Parking garages and concrete structures
• Hospitals and large medical facilities
• Schools and university campuses

Many of the concrete surfaces used in modern construction are finished by skilled cement masons and plasterers.

Plasterer & Cement Mason Apprenticeship Program

Most workers begin their careers through a registered apprenticeship program.

The OPCMIA Local 148 apprenticeship program includes:

• Paid on-the-job training
• Classroom instruction
• Hands-on concrete and plaster training

Apprentices earn wages while they learn and receive regular pay increases as their experience grows.

How Long the Apprenticeship Takes

Plasterer and cement mason apprenticeship programs typically last:

3-4 years

During that time apprentices complete:

• Thousands of hours of on-the-job training
• Classroom instruction at union training facilities

Training includes:

• Concrete placement and finishing
• Plaster and stucco application
• Surface preparation techniques
• Blueprint reading
• Decorative concrete techniques
• Construction safety procedures

After completing the program, apprentices become journeyman plasterers or cement masons.

Local Union for Plasterers & Cement Masons in Georgia

Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association - Local 148

OPCMIA Local 148 represents plasterers and cement masons working throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

Members gain access to:

• Apprenticeship training
• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Job opportunities on major construction projects
• Advanced training and specialty certifications

How To Apply for the Apprenticeship

To apply for the apprenticeship program, contact the union training program:

OPCMIA Local 148

Website
https://www.opcmia.org

Phone
(404) 691-6334

Location
Atlanta, Georgia

Applicants typically need:

• High school diploma or GED
• Basic math skills
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to perform physical construction work

Why Choose a Career as a Plasterer or Cement Mason?

Plasterers and cement masons enjoy careers that offer:

• Strong union wages and benefits
• Paid apprenticeship training
• Opportunities to work on major infrastructure and building projects
• Specialized skills in concrete and plaster finishes
• Long-term demand in construction and infrastructure development

These trades help create the strong foundations and finished surfaces that buildings and infrastructure rely on.

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