Training and Career Opportunities for Cement Masons

Did you know that ancient cement masons built concrete structures in Egypt 3,600 years ago that are still standing today?  Needless to say, cement masons are some of the oldest tradesmen who continue to this day to pass their skills on to the next generation via the apprenticeship model.  

What does a Cement Mason do?

Cement masons work on construction jobs and are responsible for pouring, smoothing, and perfecting concrete. Concrete construction work is physically challenging and cement masons are encouraged to stay in great physical shape. 

Becoming a Cement Mason

Although there are some formal cement mason training programs, most learn their skills via a formal apprenticeship. Those who are interested in becoming a cement mason are encouraged to seek a mentor and become an apprentice. In most cases, finding an apprenticeship requires contacting a local cement mason union or association and inquiring about their programs. 

Cement Mason Opportunities at The Conco Companies

At The Conco Companies, we are seeking qualified cement masons at all of our locations in Northern California, Southern California, Washington, and Colorado. With the exception of Colorado, these are all union positions with competitive wages, medical, and retirement benefits.  Conco is one the nation’s largest cement contractor and our employees work on incredibly exciting projects every day. As a Conco cement mason, you will be working on a wide variety of projects including buildings, highway construction, bridges, tunnels, airports, drainage systems, and sanitation projects.  See the Conco website for more details and contact information regarding our posting for cement masons.  

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/construction-cement-masons-concrete-finishers

 

Safety –The Number One Priority of The Conco Companies

Safety has always been important in the successful operation of a concrete construction company.  At The Conco Companies, we understand that construction work presents many hazards. In addition to ensuring that all construction operations are performed in accordance with federal OSHA, WISHA, and local standards, we also go many steps above and beyond to protect our employees, partners and the general public.  

Safety Professionals

Conco employs a staff of safety and risk professionals. The job of these professionals is to work with the team to eliminate all construction and “over the road” risks.  This team can be found at our project locations carrying out frequent inspections, ensuring employee safety, and monitoring regulatory compliance.  

A Culture of Safety & Prevention

To create the safest environment, Conco believes that each and every team member must be trained in hazard prevention and safety standards. Hazard prevention is the core of our safety program. With an entire team who can identify unsafe working conditions and potential work related accidents these hazards can be eliminated early or prevented entirely through individual responsibility and awareness. Conco believes that when safety is the first consideration, everyone wins.  

Beyond Conco

We ensure that our partnerships with contractors are based on a mutual understanding that we will employ the highest standard of safety on all project sites. All projects are provided with a Site Specific Safety Plan and Pre-Task Planning, Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP)/ Accident Prevention Program (APP), and training is provided to all on Fall Protection, First-Aid/ CPR, Forklift Operation, OSHA 30, Material Rigging, Traffic Control, and all other related areas. 

Drug and Alcohol Free

We have a strict drug and alcohol ban on all project sites. Additionally, we offer drug and alcohol prevention programs to eliminate the use and possession or drugs and alcohol in the workplace. 

Conco is one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

What Makes Concrete An Ideal Building Material?

Concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world and has maintained that popularity for centuries. What makes concrete so great and why has it been the staple building material since the ancient times? The answer includes a number of concrete’s distinct characteristics: long lasting durability, energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, proven safety, and sustainability. Let’s take a deeper look at each one of these characteristics of concrete.

Durability

Concrete is a material that is made to last. It’s resistant to most environmental exposures (weathering, chemicals, and abrasion) while still maintaining its engineering properties.

Energy Efficiency

When combined with other energy efficient remedies (such as radiant heating and cooling), concrete can reduce the energy requirements of a building by as much as 30%.

Affordability

Taking lifespan, energy efficiency, and overall cost of the material into consideration, concrete offers one of the most cost-effective means of constructing an energy-efficient building.

Safety

Concrete is an extremely safe building material for humans and pets. The materials used to create concrete are inert, non-flammable, will not rot, will not mold, does not release gas, and helps fight the entry of pollutants into the structure.

Sustainability

Concrete creates a steady temperature environment because heat passes slowly through the material. As a result, less heating or air-conditioning is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. Over the lifetime of the building, this amounts to less energy use and cheaper energy bills.  Additionally, although concrete is not biodegradable, it can be recycled and easily repaired; thus, limiting the amount of concrete waste on the planet.

Conco is one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Source: concretenetwork.com/concrete-homes/benefits.html

Update on Union Station Luxury Project and 2017 Events

In 2014, the Union Station neighborhood added a luxurious 21-story apartment building to its already bustling array of buildings. The Conco Companies skillfully executed concrete work for the new building, which featured 288 apartment units, a 260 car garage, and 7,000 sqft of retail space. Residents will now enjoy an impressive list of amenities including a gym, dog run, and concierge services.

Union Station was one of the most highly anticipated redevelopment projects in Denver (with a combined cost of over $7 billion dollars). Today, Union Station hosts a wide array of family friendly events for the community—many of them within the station’s historical 100 year old Great Hall.

Here is just a taste of some of the interesting upcoming events at Union Station in 2017:

New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

Welcome in 2017 in style by attending the grand New Year’s Eve party in the glamorous halls and chic ballrooms of Union Station.

Stars & Stripes Express Fest

A great free, family-friend public event featuring live music, entertainment, local beer.

Yoga on the Plaza

Every Saturday during the summer of 2017, The Oxford Club, Spa & Salon will be sponsoring free yoga on the plaza. This event is open to the public and mimosa specials will be offered after the session.

Oktoberfest

After expanding Union Station’s Terminal Bar in summer 2017, the venue will be hosting a grand Oktoberfest celebration sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.

Halloween Parade and Party

Finally, rounding off 2017 is the Union Station Halloween bash. Enjoy a family friendly event featuring trick-or-treating, costume parades, shops for the kids, and, of course, a costume contest.

The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Source: unionstationindenver.com/news-events/events/

Topnotch Concrete Solutions for the Denver Area

The Conco Companies are proud to bring premium concrete services to Colorado’s Front Range.  Services include high-quality concrete formwork, reinforcement, finishing, and shotcrete.  We also offer the Denver area design/build, turnkey and G.C. services that provide customers the opportunity to not only work with some of the top professionals in the field but to do so at a great value. 

Right from the planning stages, Conco partners with owners and contractors to ensure each project gets off to a great start.  For Conco formwork, our team takes into account project specifications, requirements and budget and uses up-to-the-date technology including BIM to determine the best type of material to use to construct the forms.  We make forms out of a variety of materials including plywood and steel as well as custom-made plastic and fiberglass.  In addition we offer professional concrete drawing services for walls, columns, beams and slab soffits.

As we own and operate two large, rebar fabrication facilities, Conco is equipped to be a single source for all of your reinforcement and installation needs.  Our high-performance, precision-engineered rebar is fabricated in state-of-the-art plants equipped with modern shear lines, benders and post-tension cable manufacturing equipment.  In addition our finishing teams are some of the most experienced in the field and bring to each project Conco’s standard of excellence. 

Our shotcrete services offer an economical solution for many projects and we are experienced in the most advanced methods of application.  The technique almost eliminates the forming process all together reducing both labor costs and time.  Shotcrete is used in place of traditional cast-in-place shear walls, retaining walls, architectural walls, slope pavement, and soil nailing.

One project we recently completed was the luxurious high-rise apartment building, the Platform, which is part of the Union Station redevelopment project in Downtown Denver.  The 21-story skyscraper includes 288 apartment units and 260 parking spaces as well as 7,000 square feet of retail space.

The Conco Companies mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in Western US and bring expertise, experience and quality to each project. Conco’s portfolio includes public works projects, commercial, educational, healthcare, parking structures and other construction development.

Luxury Multi-Use Building in Downtown Denver

Several years ago, The Conco Companies brought our well-earned reputation for superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services to the dynamic Denver construction market.  With our wide range of in-house resources, we have the capability to be a single source on any project and to deliver the highest quality concrete services. 

Currently our Colorado operations are in need of experienced carpenters, cement masons, ironworkers, laborers and operating engineers as well as shotcrete laborers, finishers and nozzlemen.  These exciting job opportunities offer both medical and retirement benefits. 

One example of a recent project we are proud to have been a part of is the Platform, which is in downtown Denver.  The 21-story luxury apartment building is right next to the historic Union Station that was a part of the large Union Station Redevelopment Project.  The Platform is a multi-use, pedestrian-friendly building that includes 288 apartment units, 260 parking spaces, and approximately 7,000 SF of retail space.  Residents can walk to the Riverfront, LoHi and the River North Art District as well as Coors Field and many Downtown Denver restaurants and shops.  We broke ground in early 2013 and the project was completed in 2014.

The Union Station redevelopment project played an important role in Denver’s downtown revitalization and is now a popular destination for fine dining, entertainment and shopping.  The focal point of the enormous project was the Union Station that reopened in July 2014 after years of planning, hard work, and a cost of nearly $500 million.  The multi-modal hub is for bus, light rail, commuter rail and Amtrak and was designed to accommodate commuters and pedestrians.  The project even caught the interest of transportation developers around the world for its contemporary design and emphasis on commuter-friendly transit. 

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. Our offices serve California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

Source:denver.cbslocal.com/2014/04/28/denvers-union-station-renovation-watched-around-the-world/

Stricter Requirements for ACPA Operators

According to the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), there is a heightened awareness of ACPA certification, and as such, it has increased the demand for certified pump operators. The ACPA states that, “certification has proven to raise the safety awareness of operators, which can help eliminate the risk of harm when using a concrete pump on the job site.”  Last year, the Association saw a 20% growth in their certification training program.  They trained a record number of operators despite an estimated loss of 1,000 pumps in the industry since 2006.

The program now includes a mandatory ACPA Safety Presentation Program and there have been modifications made to the certification test regarding security and authenticity.  Furthermore, when you choose to use an ACPA certified operator at your job site, you are in compliance with the personnel requirements of the ASME B30.27 Safety Standard for Material Placement Systems.  

Another part of the recently introduced ASME B30.27 includes pump operators performing an “operation test demonstrating proficiency in handling the specific type material placement system, including both pre-start and post-start inspection, setup procedures, maneuvering skills, shutdown and securing procedures.”  The ACPA is still looking at how this type of extensive testing should be handled and by whom. 

At The Conco Companies, every one of our concrete pump operators are ACPA certified and are trained to operate equipment safely and to protect those who work around the pump from harm.  In addition to ACPA certification and company specific safety training, Conco obtains inspections of all of our boom pumps and Telebelts every year by certified boom pump inspectors.  This ensures the structural integrity of the equipment we operate.  Conco has developed and implemented some of the most rigorous pumping safety procedures in the entire concrete industry.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built our reputation with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  With four regional offices, we serve California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado.  

 Sources: mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=253083