Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 16
COVER STORY
TRAINING & RECRUITING: AN INDUSTRY REPORT CARD
By Kimberly Shifflette, MCAA Director of Education
What are the most critical issues facing the masonry industry today? New OSHA regulation? Competition from other construction materials? While these issues are extremely important, most mason contractors I talk to name one issue that concerns them the most: the lack of an available skilled workforce. In 1992, the U.S. Department of Labor projected that by the year 2005, the entire construction industry will face a shortage of one million skilled workers and another study done in 1996 continued to support that data.
For several years now, the Mason Contractors Association of America has made training and recruiting a top priority. Last year, the MCAA introduced an $800,000 proposal to the industry to assist in our training and recruitment efforts. While funding is still being sought, several components of the proposal have been implemented. The MCAA revised the Check Out a Career in Masonry kit making it more appealing to the teens and young adults we are trying to recruit. In addition, the Setting Up a Recruitment and Training Program brochure and Career Day Survival Kits are still being offered free of charge to any mason contractor who requests one. February 9, 2001 was the fifth annual National Masonry Career Day and next year's is already being planned. Finally, the Masonry Skills Challenge regional and international apprenticeship competitions have created excitement for training and recruiting across the U.S.
In order to be successful in our training and recruitment efforts, the entire industry must work together. The MCAA is doing their part and is pleased to report that many programs and organizations across the U.S are doing their part as well. This article is dedicated to those programs and instructors who are battling our recruitment crisis on a local level everyday, many of whom sent me information on their programs to be included in this article. For more information on any of the listed programs or MCAA's proposal, you can contact Kimberly Shifflette, MCAA Director of Education, 800-536-2225 or by e-mail at kshifflette@masonryshowcase.com.