Outreach Outlook: Launching Into 2026 With Purpose, Innovation, and National Momentum

Words: Robert Melgaard

Happy New Year! As classrooms reopen and a new semester begins across the country, the MCAA Outreach & Education Division is entering 2026 with renewed purpose and a clear focus on strengthening instructors, expanding program support, and building the next generation of masonry professionals. This year represents more than a continuation of our work, it is a strategic leap forward, powered by the foundation laid in 2025 and shaped by the needs educators and industry partners have shared with us.

The months ahead will bring significant growth in the resources available to instructors. This year, the MCAA Instructor Resource Center will introduce expanded lesson materials, updated demonstrations, and new skill assessment tools designed to streamline classroom preparation and improve student learning. These updates reflect our commitment to ensuring instructors, whether new to the profession or seasoned veterans, have access to high-quality materials that allow them to focus on teaching rather than searching for resources.

Curriculum innovation will also be a driving force this year. With updated versions of the NCCER Masonry Level 1 and Level 2 curricula already being adopted, we look forward to the release of the updated Level 3 curriculum later in 2026. This next phase ensures advanced students receive instruction that reflects modern techniques, safety expectations, and current industry standards. By continuing to collaborate closely with NCCER and other partners, we aim to strengthen alignment between classroom learning and on-the-job performance.

January also brings a new wave of students stepping into masonry labs for the first time. Their enthusiasm, paired with the leadership of dedicated instructors, fuels the heart of our work. To meet the needs of growing programs, our team will be increasing hands-on regional support, expanding school-to-industry connections, and enhancing the onboarding process for new instructors entering through alternative pathways. We believe that strengthening the instructional workforce is one of the most impactful ways to secure the future of the trade.

Our ReCastED initiative continues to be a central part of this mission. After receiving remarkable national attention in 2025, ReCastED now shifts from raising awareness to implementing action. This year, we will focus on strengthening partnerships with state education agencies, refining support tools for tradespeople transitioning into teaching roles, and clarifying pathways into CTE instruction. ReCastED is evolving into a model for how industries can directly address workforce and educator shortages, not as a long-term aspiration, but as an immediate solution.

The year also begins with one of our most important in-person opportunities to connect: the 2026 World of Concrete Convention. This annual gathering offers an invaluable space to highlight new technologies and teaching resources, engage with contractors and educators, and listen to the evolving needs of our partners. If you plan to attend, we invite you to visit the MCAA booth to meet our growing team and discuss how we can support masonry programs in your region. These conversations help shape our priorities for the year.

As we look ahead, we recognize that while our industry faces ongoing challenges, including teacher shortages, an aging workforce, and increasing demand for skilled labor, we are entering 2026 with extraordinary momentum. Our division is committed to expanding access to training, deepening regional support, investing in instructors, and strengthening the pipeline that connects student interest to industry employment. Together, we are not simply maintaining progress; we are building a resilient, future-focused masonry workforce.

Here’s to a strong start, a productive semester, and a year filled with growth and impact. Stay connected, stay focused, and stay Masonry Strong.



About: Outreach Outlook
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