Masonry Magazine April 2006 Page. 28
State of the Association
I was surprised to learn that if the four largest state groups became affiliated with the MCAA, we would have more than $400,000 in desperately needed resources.
It's not only important for all industry associations to be united to advance masonry, but as contractors, we must also all come together behind the MCAA's efforts, by being active members. After all, how can we ask our supplier friends to come together if we are not united behind that same common purpose?
Building Our Workforce
THE FUTURE VIABILITY of our workforce is one of our top priorities as a national association. For years, our Association has worked to implement programs that would bring attention to all of the career possibilities that exist in our industry. Our High School Career Initiative has placed career information in more than 1,000 of our nation's high schools, today, we continue to receive strong interest from these schools.
Seven years ago, long before other for-profit competitive and divisive competitions were started, the MCAA began our two masonry skills contests: the Masonry Skills Challenge, our national apprenticeship skills competition, and the Fastest Trowel contest. These two contests were started to bring industry attention to the importance of training. These events have been invaluable in getting both contractors and local associations engaged in recruiting and training.
Our website and Masonry magazine have also been useful in bringing information on careers in masonry to a potential labor force.
However, simply getting information out about careers in our industry is not enough. We must ensure that we have the ability to both train these individuals, as well as assist them in finding employment. To help secure the necessary tools, this past year we conducted a two-day session to revise our masonry apprenticeship training series, and we hope to introduce a second edition of our training series later this summer. Also, we have been working with the laborers union to revise our Rough Terrain Forklift Training series.
In addition to having quality training materials, we must make certain that we have a strong core of competent instructors that will be available to teach our future workforce. This will become an increasingly important and logical role for the MCAA into the future.
No other organization is in the unique position to ensure our industry's workforce like the MCAA. And while we are the logical choice to ensure our future, we cannot do this alone. This past year, the MCAA has solicited the involvement of allied groups to assist us in this effort, and we look forward to growing support from the suppliers in our industry.
Advancing Our Association's
Interests in Washington
FEW AREAS can impact our industry faster than the actions of our federal government. Through laws and regulations, Wash