More Than Just A Material: Why Workforce Development Matters Words: Ryan Shaver, Brandy ShaverPhotos: Ryan Shaver, NCMCAI was asked by the MCAA to share my path and objectives for Masonry Promotion and Outreach that I have worked on in NC over the years. To do that, I want to take you through my path and the key industry people that it took to impacted me for a lifelong career in the masonry industry.In the '70s and '80s, NC was strongly supported by the NC Brick Industry Association as well as the Carolina Concrete Masonry Association. These two groups, along with their members, were instrumental in planning high school masonry programs across the state. Key people in both associations were active behind the scenes to make the programs successful, as well as the students who were built by these programs. In November, I had the privilege of presenting at the Virginia Masonry Association conference. I shared this story with them, and I tried to frame the picture like I’m going to do today: “Are you willing to do the work when nobody is watching?”Follow along in this timeline, as you will see, like the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well, guess what, it also takes the whole industry to raise a mason.Industry Associations And GroupsJimmy Harold represented the block and mortar manufacturers throughout the Carolinas, and Jack Glass represented all the brick manufacturers in both Carolinas. These two men behind the scenes worked tirelessly to not only plant, outfit, and build new masonry programs but also to make the key connections for students who were products of the programs to move forward in a masonry career pathway. As a student, I can remember these two gentlemen at every event and contest throughout the state of NC. They also made classroom visits and kept the excitement at a high level so that the students would be motivated to keep pushing forward in a masonry career pathway. Jimmy and Jack also helped run the national masonry contest, which, back in the day, was called Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).Masonry InstructorsWhile in the masonry class at Mount Pleasant High School, my instructor, Doug Drye, was a phenomenal instructor. He was inspirational in sharing the craft that he knew and loved. I tell people across the country that the key ingredient to any successful masonry program is the instructor. My pathway started in masonry class in 1989, and I didn’t even know which hand to use to hold the trowel in. In three years, Doug was able to build me into a State and National champion. That is a testament to his leadership and skill. I had no background whatsoever in masonry. I tell people that I took the class because I heard the instructor would take you to the store on Friday and buy you a Coca-Cola in a glass bottle and a pack of nabs (crackers) if you worked hard all week. To say the least, this was by far the favorite class I had ever taken in school, and it would alter the course of my life forever. Masonry became my career, and it has served my family and me well. Masonry ContractorsWhile in my masonry class at Mount Pleasant High School, we had one masonry contractor who would frequently show up at our class every chance he got. The first time I remember him coming to class, he gave a presentation about masonry as well as his company. When he started the presentation, he made the statement, “This talk is going to be worth a lot of money,” and little did I know it would be. Before we had come to class, he had placed a $100 bill under a random chair. When he completed his presentation, the students asked a few questions, and then he told us that someone was sitting on a lot of money in here. At that point, we were all riveted. He told us to stand up and look under our chairs, and one of my classmates pulled out a hundred-dollar bill from his chair. Now keep in mind this is 1989, and a hundred dollars is a lot of money to a 16-year-old! What was more important was the connection that he was making with us as students and the excitement he was building for us to try the masonry pathway as a career. This was before cell phones, Snapchat, and Instachat. This man’s name was Sam McGee with McGee Brothers, and it just so happens that was where I went to work when I graduated high school.School AdministrationAs I travel around the state of NC and work with school administrators, I often share the story of my principal from when I was in school and how her partnership with the masonry program was the key to my success. Mrs. Judy Misenheimer was my principal at Mount Pleasant High School. I spent many a day in her office, needless to say, not from my good behavior. On one occasion, Mrs. Misenheimer was going to remove me from a class for my excellent behavior. In my negotiations with her, thankfully, she placed me in a second masonry class. Fast forward more than 20 years later when I started teaching masonry at Mount Pleasant High School, after Doug Drye’s retirement, Mrs. Misenheimer was overseeing a student teaching program at the high school. I sat down at the lunch table with her and told her all the stuff that I had been dealing with in regard to my students. After I apologized multiple times to her for my behavior while in high school, she reminded me that the students I had were just like me, and I needed to do the same for them, as my instructor Doug Drye had done for me. The support of the administration in schools is instrumental in trade programs. Thankfully, I had the support I needed at the school administration level to move forward.As you can see, throughout my pathway of getting into the industry, it took a great group of people who all had talents in their respective areas. From the manufacturers, producers, and suppliers to the masonry contractors, instructors, and school administrators, I was blessed with some of the best in each area. When we talk about promoting the masonry industry, we often only look at a few people to take the lead on this. My goal for you is to look at the people who made it happen for me and ask yourself, “What can I do to get students excited and involved in the masonry industry?" I feel like every person reading this can fit into one of the scenarios that built me into what I am today. So, I will ask you the question that I asked when I started this article, “Are you willing to do the work when nobody is watching?”, as Jimmy Harold, Jack Glass, Doug Drye, Sam McGee, and Judy Misenheimer did for me, when nobody was watching.About: Resources