Kirkwood program places 100 percent of graduates

Amid a national shortage of skilled workers, the Kirkwood Masonry Construction program has placed 100 percent of the class of 2014 in jobs immediately after graduating.

Joe Luchtenburg, an instructor within the program, said as the housing and construction industries recover and the workers within the field retire, the Corridor has seen a high demand for masonry workers.

'All of this year's masonry graduates were snatched up right away. There is a huge demand right now,” Luchtenburg said. 'I can't comment enough on how much of a critical gap there is in the number of workers available compared to the demand.”

Masonry jobs are anticipated to grow by 29 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Recent data from Iowa Workforce Development said there are 711 masonry job openings throughout Kirkwood's seven-county region, with 34 job openings per year. The agency estimates the number will increase to 830 by 2019.

Kirkwood's masonry program teaches students bricklaying skills, while demonstrating advancements in energy conservation. The program lasts nine months - two semesters - and classroom experience is combined with hands-on instruction.

The program ends with an instructor-led internship and field experience.

Students have worked on projects throughout the Corridor, including work on Kinnick Stadium, the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, the Cedar Rapids Central Fire Station on First Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, baseball dugouts in the Lisbon and Washington school districts and the Iowa Sustainability Village at Kirkwood.

Luchtenberg credits some of the students' success finding jobs after completing the program to a Kirkwood advisory board, which guides the faculty to create a curriculum with specific skills needed for students to be hired locally.