Masonry Training and Employment for Formerly Incarcerated Persons

As retirees age out of the workforce and projects pile up, Ontario's construction boom desperately needs skilled masons. Yet formerly incarcerated people are often sidelined by stigma, missing credentials, and shaky work histories, often trapping them in unstable jobs despite their drive to contribute.

Next Level Masonry Training, a program by veteran contractor JVH Masonry, aims to bridge this gap with a 10-week hands-on program teaching bricklaying, blockwork, restoration techniques, safety protocols, and site skills on real job sites.

Graduates will land paid internships, obtain industry-standard certifications and get access to pathways to apprenticeships and steady roles with JVH and its network, while receiving supports to overcome barriers to completing the program.

Northpine Foundation’s investment in this program will bring real opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism, and strengthening Ontario's building workforce from the ground up.