Masonry Magazine August 1996 Page. 21
From The President
For these varying reasons we are forming a technical committee within the Mason Contractors Association to address the needs of our association and to give liaison to other organizations such as ASTM/TMS/CSI/CMR. This committee will address codes and standards, workmanship and any other technical aspects pertaining to our industry. We also hope to have a technical person on board (Staff or Consultant) by the next fiscal year.
I have been hearing a lot lately about our industry's need for masons. The training and recruiting issue really spotlights how truly splintered the masonry industry really is. Virtually every organization is coming up with a program to get masons on the wall. In fact, to paraphrase Jimmy Durante, "It seems that everyone is trying to get into the act." Our industry's workforce is the most crucial element to our future. An ample, well trained, and highly motivated workforce will enable the masonry industry to expand into new markets and even gain back market share lost to methods such as tilt-up.
When I hear that we can't compete with tilt-up any longer, I ask why? I ask, what if our workforce was well trained, well motivated and took ownership in what they were doing, why couldn't we bury tilt-up? We could. The problem has been that we relied too long on quick fix training methods, teaching just enough to get the mason on the wall and producing. Could it be antiquated work rules in some areas?
MCAA has always been dedicated to promoting and encouraging a closer relationship among ourselves and our employees. We have always been dedicated to providing a quality training program for our future workforce. We have also been focused on elevating the standards of our trade and to encourage our members and our employees to a better standard of life and living. In fact its part of MCAA's Constitution and By-Laws. We have always been dedicated to these actions. However, we at times lose sight of this. It's easy to do when you are dealing with the day to day onslaught of crisis that always seem to face us. The divisiveness that threatens our future must not be allowed to continue. Our industry must come together and recognize one effort for recruiting new masons and training the masons we have. Every faction of our industry from brick manufacturer, block manufacturer, distributor, equipment manufacturer, promotion group, unions and contractor groups must all play from the same gamebook. We must set aside our personal organization agendas and get behind one goal. As I have said before, we should be united in the service to our industry and not be concerned on what organization we belong to, but how well our industry is being served. The MCAA with the support of the Brick Institute of America, the National Concrete Masonry Association, and the Portland Cement Association has this goal in mind with one such program for recruiting and training our future workforce. MCAA has developed a first ever kit for recruiting new masons, designed to be used in high schools. It is getting rave reviews and wide acceptance from the high school students that see it. MCAA has just published a comprehensive three volume series for training new masons. The books are called the MCAA Mason Training Series, and is by far the best books on the market today for training a complete mason. The books are being printed as of this writing and will now be available for your use.
The BIA, NCMA, PCA and the MCAA have all recognized and supported this program as the industry program for training our workforce. No other program or organization cares as much or have as much at stake in ensuring that we have the best people available to help our industry grow as ours. I feel that the MCAA's program and commitment to developing the best workforce in construction is unequaled anywhere. I hope you all join us in our efforts. If you are considering an alternative program, please consider the following points before you commit to a program other than the industry sponsored MCAA program. What has been the commitment and record to training your industry's workforce of the organization whose program you are about to buy into? What is their commitment to the future? Is their sole priority to train more masons or are they involved in other competitive endeavors? Are they as concerned about your future as a mason contractor as the MCAA is? MCAA's sole motivation is to qualify training to your business and to the future of our industry.
Our Work Awaits Us...
Let Us Begin!
Donald C. Grant
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