Sammie Thornton

Editor's Note: According to Sammie Thornton of Wake Technical Community College, Wake Tech and Wake County schools offered masonry courses in the past but stopped due to a lack of interest.Some schools, like Wake Forest-Rolesville High, offer construction courses in which masonry is an aspect but not the sole focus.Thornton added that if enough people were interested, a masonry course could possibly be added under Wake Tech's Continuing Education Department.

Sammie ThorntonWake Technical Community College

Plenty of work and pay"The average plumber or electrician running his own truck with one to two helpers is making $50,000 to $60,000-plus -- and that's the low end of the spectrum," said Sammie Thornton, vocational technology dean at Wake Technical Community College, where students are packing classes to learn the trades.