Masonry Magazine March 2002 Page. 23
this area and the dedication to support our involvement with a greater dues burden. Our membership should be applauded for supporting such a worthwhile action.
1 $3.50
PUBLICA
SM
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
A
Two architects show off some of their handy work at the SCI Show. The show affords attendees the opportunity to lay brick for a charitable cause.
s mason contractors, we realize the dependence that our industry has on having a quality workforce available for us to employ. It is because of this critical need that the expansion of our industry's workforce remains a primary focus of the MCAA. Keeping a constant focus of our industry on recruitment and training is crucial to developing the future of our labor force. One such event is the Masonry Skills Challenge, a collaborative effort between the MCAA and our Canadian counterpart in apprenticeship skills. Our Skills Challenge, taking place here at the convention, pits winning apprentices from across the U.S. and Canada against each other in a test of skills for the right to be called the industry's best first, second and third year apprentice. A second popular event is the Fastest Trowel on the Block contest which pits journeymen against each other in a test of both speed and skill. These two events, while fun to watch, keep our focus on what is needed in our industry. And that's a quality workforce.
Another program that the MCAA has become very involved with is Skills USA-VICA. This organization promotes vocational training in our nation's high schools and post-secondary programs of which masonry is one of the trades offered. Currently there are 225 Skills USA-VICA masonry programs which are feeder programs to our apprenticeship programs throughout the U.S. It is our belief that getting to these students early and giving them some experience in masonry is of vital importance in convincing them that masonry is a worthwhile career path. Our continued support of Skills USA-VICA and the expansion of the
FEBRUARY 2002 $1.50
PUBLICATION OF THE MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
MESONRY
ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS
ASK
What's Inle
For Me?
ALSO INSIDE:
Masonry magazine, now published monthly, keeps contractors on the cutting edge of the masonry industry. Proper Anchors for Brick Veneer Efflorescence Empower...And Achieve! MASONRY MARCH, 2002 23