Masonry Magazine February 2006 Page. 47
News
Local, State & Regional
# Arizona
August 8 marked the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year for the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association's (AMCA) Apprenticeship Program and, for the second year in a row, they have started 20 new apprentices. Add them to the 19 second-year apprentices and nine third-year apprentices and these 48 men make AMCA's largest number of apprentices in the history of the program.
Of course, these 20 new apprentices plan to make it to graduation like the three who graduated this year. Rey David Flores and Humberto Cardenas of Pioneer Masonry, and Carlos Nevarez of Rhino Masonry, were recognized at a dinner meeting on Sept. 27. Among the attendees at the graduation were guest speakers Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent of the East Valley Institute of Technology and Scott Soldat, director of Arizona SkillsUSA.
Apprentices in the AMCA program attend class one night per week and lab on Saturdays from August through May for three years. During those three years, apprentices learn many aspects of the trade, from basic blocklaying and blueprint reading to brick patterns and arches. Upon completion of the training, each apprentice receives a journeyperson card from the U.S. Department of Labor. Most AMCA apprentices go on to become forepersons or superintendents for their sponsoring contractor, sometimes before training is even completed.
The program is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Arizona Department of Commerce's Apprenticeship Services, which means that certain guidelines must be followed. The apprentices must complete a minimum of 144 classroom/lab hours and 2,000 on-the-job hours per year. Apprentices must sign an agreement that indentures them to their sponsoring contractors for the entire three years of the program. If they leave their employer voluntarily, they cannot remain in the apprenticeship program without their former employer's permission. Their employer, in return, must agree to give them "wall time" to further their training and meet AMCA's minimum wage criteria.
For more information on the AMCA apprenticeship program, visit www.azmasonry.net, or call (602) 262-0510.
# Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute has announced the schedule for the first half of its 2006 education programs:
* How to Survive & Prosper in the Masonry Market - Feb. 22
* Masonry Materials: Stone Specs, Properties, Troubleshooting & Wall Systems - March 22
* Negotiating for Success - April 19
* Occupational Safety Management May 3
* Increasing Construction Productivity June 21
Every course is structured to increase the knowledgebase for masonry professionals and to complete certification designations. Certifications obtainable include Certified Masonry Contractor (CMC), Certified Masonry Professional (CMP), Certified Masonry Specialist (CMS) and Certified Masonry Designer (CMD).
Instead of a flat fee per course, each education course price will be based on the cost to provide the course. Non-member course fees will be $100 higher per course than member fees.
Look for additional announcements on additional course topics and a complete list of speakers by the end of the first quarter of 2006.
For more information, visit www.rmmi.org, call Linda at (303) 893-3838, or e-mail linda@rmmi.org.
# Florida
Reported by the Palm Beach Post, "Florida starts $6 million program to train construction workers," Dec. 14, 2005.
After a statewide survey indicated a shortage of over 13,500 construction professionals, the state of Florida has launched a 56 million program to assist in training workers for masonry, carpentry, roofing and other construction industries.
Announced on Dec. 13, the new Florida reBuilds program will not only assist in the state's booming new home market, but also help in rebuilding areas damaged during the past two hurricane seasons. Funded by the US. Department of Labor and state workforce money, the program's goal is to recruit, train and place 3,000 workers in the short-term. At the start of next month's legislative session, Gov. Jeb Bush will request funding to cover an additional 10,000 trainees.
At the press conference, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings stated, "We're not under the impression or the illusion that we are going to bring people in off of the street and immediately turn them into seasoned roofers or seasoned carpenters. That's not going to happen. But we need workers so badly."
Candidates for the reBuilds program can sign up at the state Agency for Work force Innovation One-stop Centers.
Melvin Mancia (Mason Forman)
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February 2006 Masonry 45