MCAA Regional Report, Region G

Words: Glenn HottmannArizona - Clemens Hellmann
Colorado - No State Chair
New Mexico - No State Chair
Utah - Alan Johnson
Wyoming - Jim Thompson

Workforce Development

Arizona

In 2014 our Central AZ Apprenticeship Program (serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area) enrollment numbers totaled 2 first year, 2 second year, and 3 third year apprentices. Although market conditions did improve slightly in 2014, many mason contractors were still hesitant to commit to sponsoring an apprentice due to inconsistency in available work from one month to another. The enrollment numbers in the Southern AZ Masonry Apprenticeship Program (Tucson) remained fairly consistent with 3 new first year apprentices and one 2nd year apprentice.

During 2014, AMCA concentrated many of its efforts on high school outreach programs. AMCA participated in the AZ Construction Career Days in Phoenix and the Southern AZ Construction Career Days in Tucson- 2 day events targeted to high school students. The purpose of the Construction Career Day events is to increase high school students’ awareness of career opportunities available in the construction industry. In addition, AMCA sponsored a 6 hour masonry training course for high school construction. This “train the trainer” workshop provided instructors with the basic knowledge and skills of block laying and provided them with various resources such as supplier contact information to secure materials needed to add masonry to their curriculum.

Colorado

No State Chairman

New Mexico

No State Chairman

Utah

The UMC-Utah Masonry Council is continuing the NCCR accredited masonry apprenticeship program they started last year, with a new group of 1st year students and its 2nd year students continuing on with the program. It now has increased support from all the local masonry contractors as they all face this current shortage.

The UMC is currently reaching out to facility owners, architects and masonry contractors to turn in their prized projects for the up and coming “Excellence in Masonry” awards.

Wyoming

No report as of this writing

General Conditions

Arizona

Inconsistent is the term best used to describe the market conditions in Arizona in 2014. Overall conditions have improved slightly over 2013, but the year was marked with periods of high bidding opportunities in one month followed by little to no bidding opportunities the next month. This cycle was repeated many times throughout the year.

Colorado

No State Chairman

New Mexico

No State Chairman

Utah

With all the work available, it has still been a slow process to watch margins rise to a level that is considered healthy. The labor shortage is for real, it is extremely hard to find any qualified masons and skilled mason tenders at this moment that are not already working. This is leading to well-deserved wage raises for the field employees and will put pressure on contractors to build in these rising costs and margins.

Wyoming

No report as of this writing

Economic Conditions

Arizona

Wages saw a slight increase in 2014 but in the opinion of many members still remain too low to attract back those that have left the industry over the last 5 years. The low wage rates are not attractive enough to attract new talent into the industry. For those contractors who have been awarded projects, they are scrambling to find the labor needed to staff the needs of their various projects.

Colorado

No State Chairman

New Mexico

No State Chairman

Utah

Wage rates will continue to climb this next year with all the work that is coming out for bid. Architects and engineers are very busy designing while maintaining current healthy backlogs of customer projects, a prerequisite of what is to come.

Wyoming

No report as of this writing

Market Expansion & Initiatives

Arizona

With the assistance of our lobbyist, AMCA focused its efforts in 2014 on the following issues:
  • Misclassification of employees as independent contractors
  • Exploration of development & implementation of local “Check Off Program” informal discussions with key state legislators
  • Wood First Initiative- identifying strategies to fend off the efforts of the Wood industry.

Colorado

No State Chairman

New Mexico

No State Chairman

Utah

Lucky for construction companies in Utah. Utah is in one of those sweet spots in the nation based on current national unemployment rates. Utah currently ranks #4 in the US with a current unemployment rate of 3.6%, with North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska leading the way. Utah is also listed in Forbes magazine as the number one state in the country to do business. Listed and touted as both having a pro-business climate and having lower energy cost which average 27% lower than the national average cost for energy.

Housing and multi-family housing is happening everywhere and sets the stage for all the commercial work that follows.

Wyoming

No report as of this writing
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