Report of the MCAA Education Committee

Words: David HillThe Education Committee has had a very full and busy year. The Basic Masonry Estimating book has been rewritten by the instructor that will be teaching it. The course will now be a 6 credit course instead of 8. In March and April we will be hosting our first live webinars for Masonry Wall Bracing, Understanding Codes & Standards along with Masonry Estimating Seminar.

Split Education and Certification Into Two Committees

With a major emphasis on certification over the next few years, we see the need to separate Certification from the Education Committee. This is being done so that each of the areas has a chairman driving the different agendas forward. I would like to welcome Andy Sneed from Wasco to be our new Education Committee Chairman. We look forward to his leadership in this vital part of our association. I will continue on as the Chair of the Certification Committee.

Changes to Current Courses and Future Class Development

The Education committee will be working on rewriting the MQI education course for the annual and mid-year conventions. A power point in Green Building and programs in Leed points will be developed. We will also be finding back up instructors for the Foreman Development Course. We will continue to research classes that will be good for estimators, project managers and owners. We are also looking into using more webinars in the future. Making Masonry more friendly for BIM. We would like to look into the possibility of getting a degree program in some universities.

Certification Activities

The Certification Committee will be responsible for planning and creating a CD for the purpose of advancing the Certification program. We also need to develop revocation procedures and policies. The committee will continue to make revisions to the certification test. We will be working with the Legislative Committee (Paul Odom) to start the process of having the government specify a certified masonry contractor to bid on its projects. Certification is a vital part of the Vision 2020. This means that over the next 5 years, we will plan to bring the Architectural Community on board and have them make masonry certification a part of their specifications.

The masonry certification program is and has been our main focus this year. Over the last year we have accumulated 59 contractors wanting to get certification. We already have 11 companies certified and 8 signed up for the test at the convention.

World of Masonry Education Programs

This year at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry we are providing once again four educational seminars. These include: Basic Masonry Estimating, Masonry Forman Development Course, Masonry Quality Institute and Understanding Codes and Standards. The participation in each of these courses is down from last year.
The Modern Masonry Saw: Safety, Efficiency, and Smarter Cutting
July 2026

Masonry is a craft built on precision, strength, and durability. At the heart of every successful masonry project is one essential tool: the masonry saw. As technology evolves, so does the role of the saw on the jobsite. Today’s contractors are not just l

Bryant Figueroa
Technical Talks
Read More
Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Technical Talks
Read More
Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing

John Cicciarelli
Case Study
Read More
Masonry as the Standard: Delivering Strength, Durability, and Permanence at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs
July 2026

The replacement of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs serves as a clear example of masonry’s ability to deliver long-term durability, structural integrity, and architectural permanence in worship facility construction. Following the tragic events

Anton Shadrock
Case Study
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →