Report of the MCAA Workforce Development Committee

Words: Moroni Mejia

NCCER

Members of the workforce development committee have met several times throughout the year to explore the possibility of becoming national sponsors of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and its training programs. These meetings resulted in NCCER representatives attending the Education Committee and Workforce Development Committee meetings here at the convention. Partnering with NCCER has tremendous potential for improving the quality, consistency, and delivery of our training materials. The Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) has already experienced great success in doing so. Through a generous grant from the NCMA, they are poised to help the MCAA do the same. Once a system is in place, the MCAA and MAF will guide local associations in becoming local sponsors. The Arizona Mason Contractors Education and Apprenticeship Foundation has been identified as a pilot program candidate.

Mason Tender Training

Several parts of the country are already experiencing noticeable shortages of qualified mason tenders. The committee has made it a priority to develop and distribute a Mason Tender Training program to address this shortage. The Masonry Institute of Tennessee and the Masonry Association of Florida shared the tender training materials they had each previously developed. This program would be the first to benefit directly from an alliance with NCCER. Cross training of tenders across all the trowel trades could potentially strengthen support and allow for a broader pool of employers hiring those that complete the program. A pilot program has been started at Canyon State Academy in Queen Creek, AZ — an all-boys boarding school for at risk youth.

MCAA Student Membership

The MCAA will be creating a new membership category for students. The cost will be $25.00. More information will be available over the next few weeks.

High School Recruitment

The committee has recognized the need to renew our efforts in high school recruitment. The images of the construction worker and mason have suffered significantly over the years and this is having a serious impact on our ability to attract and retain qualified workers. A task force is being formed to develop a complete marketing plan that utilizes all types of media, including social networking, and can be cross marketed by each stake holder in our industry.

Workforce Development Forum

The first ever national Workforce Development Forum was held online this past summer. Members of the Brick Industry Association, National Concrete Masonry Association, and National Masonry Instructors Association joined our members in an open discussion. The challenges being faced and successes being enjoyed at the local level were shared by each participant. The growing need to Attract, Develop, and Retain qualified workers was discussed. It has been proposed that a live Workforce Development Forum be held during the Skills USA Championships this June in Kansas City. The committee is looking forward to using these forums to strengthen our relationships with other industry associations and gather feedback on how we can best serve our members.

Skills USA

Members of the Workforce Development Committee and the Executive Board attended the Skills USA Championships. Bob Thomas from the NCMA and MCAA president Mackie Bounds addressed the contestants during a luncheon the day before the competition. Participation was strong for the event and the quality of work was impressive. An NCMA/MCAA joint workforce development meeting was held during the trip during which yielded other opportunities to work alongside NCMA to promote workforce development. At the mid-year meeting in San Antonio we requested that the board authorize an increase in MCAA sponsorship for the event and encouraged all of our members to consider making the trip.

Fastest Trowel on the Block

There were eleven competitors in this year’s Fastest Trowel on the Block competition from across the country. For the first time, the competition was held in conjunction with the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500. Combining the day and location of the two competitions created a fun and exciting atmosphere for both events and helped provide additional exposure to the Fastest Trowel on the Block and the masonry trade in general. The MCAA would like to thank SPEC MIX for all of the help they provided before and during the competition.

International Masonry Skills Challenge

Nineteen apprentices represented seven different regions in this year’s International Masonry Skills Challenge. Six first year, seven second year, and six third year apprentices participated in this year’s competition. Lafarge sponsored the Masonry Skills Challenge. Boral Brick and Angelus Block supplied materials. Prizes were donated by Marshalltown, Johnson Level, Grout Grunt, and Calculated, Inc. The MCAA would like to thank each of the sponsors, suppliers, donors, and volunteers that helped make this competition a success.

Architect/Contractor Team Competition

The executive board tasked the committee with developing a new contest for the 2013 convention. This contest will be similar in concept to the “Village” competition from years past. The concept is to pair an architecture firm with a masonry contractor to design and build unique projects using allotted materials and resources. The first phase of the contest could potentially be a regional “design-only” competition in which participating teams submit a narrative and conceptual drawing of their design. The regional winners would be selected and earn a place at the national event where they would be given two days to build the project. A major sponsor has already come forward and will be announced once details have finalized.
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