Fechino Files: Mortar Net Solution Masonry Apprentice Scholarship 2025

Words: Steven Fechino
Photos: Mortar Net Solutions



This year, Mortar Net will be presenting 40 Masonry Apprentice Scholarships to individuals across the country who are in their training to become topped-out mechanics. We have a very impressive list of sponsors that have really added to the value and importance of each scholarship we present. Our scholarship began with three original sponsors: Mortar Net Solutions, Bon Tool, and Kapro. Our first year we presented four scholarships, in the second year we presented 20 scholarships in 2020, and we have presented 40 scholarships every year since to students across the country.

Students are not informed about the scholarship directly, instead, instructors who provide training contact us. Each student is evaluated and discussed to ensure we provide enough scholarships to each school to motivate and inspire students. These scholarships are designed to provide brand awareness to apprentices of the trade.

By exposing the students to the best possible products and tools early in their careers, they will have the opportunity to recognize these top companies throughout their careers and support them when the time arises because they were supported by them early on in their training.

The scholarship also offers apprentices a chance to be promoted along with their peers and training facilities through an active social media program that connects every student and sponsor who participates. Social media posts feature the award presentations, sponsors, and schools to make these special apprentices even more special.

This program should only grow bigger and better each year, just like you want your company to grow. We are looking for more sponsors to provide branded items that can assist the apprentice throughout their career and create loyal customers, whether it is tools or products, loyalty in this trade is strong. This is the best bang in advertisement opportunities dollar for dollar.

If your company has received scholarships for your employees, sponsorship would be appreciated as it would provide national recognition for both your company and your employee.

In masonry tradition, the National Masonry Instructors Association will gather in the morning to pack the boxes with the tool scholarships and five past Hall of Fame members will participate in packing things up for the new apprentices. That's kinda cool in my eyes.

Our list of sponsors is as follows:

  • Bon Tool: Contact - John Bongiovanni

  • Kapro: Contact - Stacy King

  • Keene Inc: Contact - Sharon Mersek

  • Utah Masonry Council: Contact - Cassie Mejia

  • The National Brick Research Center Clemson University: Contact - Beth Murphy

  • Brick Industry Association: Contact - Bryan Light

  • Build Productions: Contact - Sheri

  • Hobbs Masonry: Contact - Moroni Mejia

  • Advanced Building Products: Contact - Katy Peabody

  • Masonry Contractors Association of America: Contact - Dan Kamys

  • Lincoln Electric: Contact - Education Team

  • PROSOCO: Contact - Javier Aqui

  • Truefast Walls: Contact - Mitch Malher

  • US Tape: Contact - Kingston Fallon

  • Glen Gery: Contact - Leroy Danforth

  • McGee Brothers: Contact - Kale Hallman

  • York Mfg.: Contact - Craig Wetmore

  • Grout Grunt: Contact - Morgan Agazzi

  • EZG Manufacturing: Contact - Bobbie Bice

  • Malta Dynamics: Contact - Greg Brown

  • Hohmann and Barnard: Contact - Tom Walsh

I guess to sort of simplify things, if you started out with a particular brand, or maybe even a brand that was used by your father or mentor, you want to stick with what is tried, tested and totally proven. Our trade is built in hot, cold, dry and wet weather, something we adjust to daily, using the quality products that are included in this scholarship means that you have constant quality in your tools and products and daily adjustments are not a reality. Grab the tool bag and go to work, boom, it is all there.

If you know someone that truly would benefit from the scholarship or would like to become a sponsor, please contact me directly at sfechino@mortarnet.com. Stay cool out there, before we know it we will have our Carhart’s on.





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