Retooling the Definition of the Skilled Technical Workforce

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, stonecutters relied on hand tools such as chisels, hammers, and mallets to shape and carve stones precisely. These methods demanded a high degree of manual dexterity, physical strength, and artistic skill. Artisans often acquired training through apprenticeships, where they learned the use of traditional tools and techniques from experienced workers, developing a keen eye for detail. As technology advanced, the stonecutting industry began integrating modern machinery. By the mid-twentieth century, power tools like electric saws and grinders improved efficiency and precision. The advent of computer numerical control (CNC) machines and computer-aided design (CAD) software in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries further revolutionized the field. These software advances enable stonecutters to create highly detailed and complex designs with unprecedented accuracy. Stonecutters now require proficiency in advanced material properties, safety protocols, and the use of high-tech equipment such as laser scanners and water jet cutters.