Masonry Magazine December 1997 Page. 36
Masonry Pornography
Continued from page 7
The NLA, Brick Institute of America (BIA), National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Portland Cement Association (PCA), Expanded Shale Clay and Slate Institute (ESCSI), the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the International Masonry Institute (IMI) hosted this meeting. All the reps sat at the table together and had a very open and candid discussion of their views and opinions on a wide range of subjects.
In my opinion the most important thing to come out of this meeting was the decision for us to get off our duff and start prodding the market. It will require a unified voice with a single message for one industry. Whether we work with each other on a project by project basis, outreach with one another (CMR, IMI, etc.), share information and research, data base, or joint seminars, the primary goal should be to gain back user confidence by improving the masonry industry image.
Clearly, the subject of recruitment having the most urgent need was discussed at length. A means to protect the industry against labor shortage is to work to attract new blood. This will be a difficult task, as an ABC news survey revealed. High school students were asked to name their career of choice. The construction trades ranked next to last, 251 out of 252, right ahead of "cowboy."
Can we do all the things required with a loose group of Associations or does it require a more formalized organization such as the CMR? This is yet to be seen. The opportunity exists but we need a more concentrated effort to accomplish our goals.
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This is a tremendous challenge for our industry. Your MCAA will be in the forefront of any solution by use of staff assistance, development of market plans or whatever it takes. We (all Masonry Associations) should be united in the service to our industry and not be concerned to what organizations we belong. We should concentrate on how well our industry is being served.
Our Work Awaits Us,
Let Us Begin.....
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MASONRY
CAREER DAY
36 MASONRY-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1997
FEBRUARY 27, 1998