Bricklayer student wins high praise from CNA instructor
3/2/2011 11:13:29 AM
Carbonear - Frank Snook says that patience is more than a virtue for aspiring bricklayers – it’s an absolute necessity.
Snook is an instructor in the Bricklayer program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA) in Carbonear. “Patience makes up for 90 per cent of bricklaying success,” he explains. “It is a long process when completing a day’s work and with little patience the day would be much longer.”
Snook says the weather also plays a major role for bricklayers, as do the other people working on site. “Trying to deal with the day-to-day activity of the bricklayer trade and the attitudes from different people is a challenge in itself.”
But Snook says one of his students came into the program with his patience in hand and was eager to learn and help wherever he could. Karl Laing completed the Bricklayer program in June 2009. Originally from Harbour Grace, he now lives and works in St. John’s.
“Karl is a very unique young man who makes for a very patient bricklayer,” says Snook. “While doing the program here at CNA, Karl was always there to lend a helping hand to other students when they needed extra help. Karl is and will continue to make a great bricklayer and any company he works with should be pleased to have him as part of their team. I strongly believe he is a role model for future students coming into this program.”
Working for almost two years at Skinner's Masonry, Laing says the instructors at CNA gave him the skills required for working in the bricklaying field.
“My experiences at CNA were all positive throughout the whole year,” says Laing. “I had great instructors who helped me along the way; especially my workshop instructor (Snook) who guided me through every step and who I believe helped get me where I am today.”
Working in his field and loving what he’s doing is something that Laing strived for. He recommends the Bricklayer program at CNA to anyone interested in the field and looking for hands on training.
“I would highly recommend the Bricklayer program at CNA to any students who are interested,” says Laing. “The instructors are very helpful and they give hands on job training. For me CNA was a wonderful experience. I have appreciated everything that CNA has offered and will offer to me in the future.”
CNA’s Bricklayer program is a one-year industrial trade certificate offering at the Carbonear campus. After successful completion of this program and the required work experience, the apprentices qualify to return to complete advanced level training in preparation for writing the Journeyperson’s Examination. Laing is planning to return and finish his advanced level next year.
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Media Contact:
Gina MacArthur
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
Ph: 709-643-7928
gina.macarthur@cna.nl.ca