Masonry Magazine December 2008 Page. 51
Industry News
News From MCAA
Virtual University
The Mason Contractors Association of America has launched the new MCAA Virtual University. The MCAA Virtual University hosts self-paced online courses that can be accessed by you or your entire team 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Available courses include OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Outreach Training Programs, fall protection, scaffolding safety, ergonomics, hazardous waste training, and environmental courses. More than 100 courses are currently online; all courses are eligible for Certification credit.
To sign-up for a course or to view a full list of courses, visit the Upcoming Education page at www.certification.masoncontractors.org, and scroll to the Online Programs section. The MCAA is excited to be able to offer these programs to all mason contractors.
New Online Job Service
The MCAA has launched an interactive job board, the Masonry Career Center. With a focus on masonry industry companies and professionals, the Masonry Career Center offers its members and the masonry industry at large an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections.
"We're very excited about Masonry Career Center, because we know how critical it is for employers in the masonry industry to attract first-rate talent with a minimum expenditure of time and resources," says Tim O'Toole, manager of information technology for the MCAA. "And, it's important for us help enable smooth career transitions for those seeking industry jobs."
Both members and non-members can use Masonry Career Center to reach qualified candidates. Employers can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online resume agent to email qualified candidates daily. They also benefit from online reporting that provides job activity statistics.
For job seekers, Masonry Career Center is a free service that provides access to employers and jobs in the masonry industry. In addition to posting their resumes, job seekers can browse and view available jobs based on their criteria and save those jobs for later review if they choose. Job seekers can also create a search agent to provide email notifications of jobs that match their criteria.
News From Spider
Sherer, Amick Hired as Sales Reps, Houston
Spider hired Bill Sherer as district sales representative for its Houston location. In this position, Sherer is responsible for solving the suspended access and safety challenges of contractors and facility owners in the Houston area. He brings extensive national account and territory sales experience in the building materials industry.
John Amick also was hired as district sales representative for Spider's Houston location. In this position, John is responsible for solving the suspended access and safety challenges of contractors and facility owners in the Houston area.
Bringing more than 20 years of business development and management experience in both the regional and national heavy equipment rental industry, Amick has focused on customer satisfaction throughout his career.
NCMA Scores Victory for Sustainable Design
President Bush has signed into law the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill for fiscal year 2009, legislation which funds the nation's military programs. The bill includes a major provision that addresses one of National Concrete Masonry Association's (NCMA) top legislative priorities. That particular provision requires that the Secretary of Defense to incorporate principles of sustainable design and life-cycle, cost-effective practices as an element in all military construction projects submitted to Congress for approval. All projects submitted by DOD elements, which include the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, will have to take into account these criteria.
By enacting this provision, Congress is validating legislatively the arguments long articulated by NCMA and the concrete masonry industry that the DOD
Cole Wins Regional 'Fastest Trowel'
On Oct. 25, former Fontana A.B. Miller masonry student Howard Cole, 24, took top honors in the regional "Fastest Trowel" masonry competition held at the EZ Mix Plant in Rialto, Calif. Cole, who graduated from A.B. Miller in 2002, has worked as a Masonry Foreman for NuWay Inc., Riverside, since September 2002. He competed against 20 other top masons from all over southern California. As the southern California regional champion, Cole won $2,500 and the right to compete in the National Fastest Trowel competition to be held in February in Las Vegas.
Cole's Mason Tending partner in the competition was former A.B. Miller student David Jimenez. Jimenez will also journey to Las Vegas as they compete as a team for national honors and a significant cash prize. IMAS