THE INTERNATIONAL MASONRY INSTITUTE
Updated: 1 day ago
IMI is a joint trust of a union and the contractors who employ its members, and it spends its budget on training craftworkers and on technical help for the designers who specify their work.
WHAT IMI DOES FOR THE INDUSTRY
The International Masonry Institute exists to educate and empower the industry to build responsibly. It is a labor-management partnership between members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and the contractors who employ them, and its mission language is explicit: advocating for durable, sustainable materials installed by qualified union craftworkers and the responsible contractors who employ them. Every program it runs serves one of two ends — a craftworker who can build the detail, or a design team that can draw one that builds well.
That dual purpose is why the same organization trains apprentices and works details with architects: IMI staffs architects, engineers, construction managers, craftworkers and instructors. Its suite of contractor services is available to contractors signatory with BAC.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGN TEAM
IMI's technical staff works with architecture, engineering and construction professionals to deliver efficient, economical masonry and tile systems, on new construction and existing buildings alike, and offers technical support and information on masonry products, systems and performance. It also publishes model specification language that lets designers write craft certificates and certifications directly into project labor requirements, a practical way to put a quality floor under a bid package.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING
A National Training Network
BAC craftworkers train through a network of more than 100 training centers with certified instructors teaching curriculum designed to meet or exceed industry standards, anchored by the BAC/IMI International Training Center.
Registered Apprenticeship
IMI's National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards are certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship as substantially conforming to 29 CFR parts 29 and 30; local sponsors register their own standards under them.
Career-long Craft Training
The International Masonry Training and Education Foundation trains BAC members from pre-job and apprentice training onward in brick, stone, tile, marble, terrazzo, pointing-caulking-cleaning, refractory, plaster, cement and mosaic work, plus advanced training on emerging cladding systems.
Certificates and Certifications
Programs cover historic masonry preservation, grout and reinforced masonry, advanced tile installation, foreman and supervisory skills, rainscreen systems and more.
Safety, Built In
All pre-job, apprenticeship and craftworker training programs include OSHA-compliant safety training, with courses such as OSHA 10 and 30, fall protection and scaffolding.
Business Education for Contractors
Continuing education on estimating and bidding strategy, project management, cost control and analysis, and on new technologies, products, systems and changes to codes and standards.
WHY IT MATTERS IN NEW YORK
Where New York projects are built by BAC signatory contractors, IMI is the practical answer to two recurring questions: who is trained to do this work, and who will help solve the detail before it becomes a change order. Owners and designers can use IMI’s published specification language to require certified installers; contractors signatory with BAC can use its business courses and technical support; and the training-center network is where the next generation of New York craftworkers is trained.
WHERE TO START
imiweb.org — technical services, education and project resources
About IMI — the labor-management partnership and Team IMI
Contractor services — training, market development and continuing education
imtef.org — craft training, certifications and the International Training Center
BAC on IMI — the union side of the partnership
