Report of the MCAA Education Committee

Words: Danks Burton

Live Webinar Series

The MCAA’s Live Webinar Series continued to grow in 2017, building on the success from previous years. Over 2,000 attendees registered for nearly sixty courses last year. Over 1,000 attended the live presentations. Topics ranged from OSHA investigations and jobsite safety to quality assurance and business success for masons.

Nearly every webinar in 2017 was offered at no charge to both MCAA members and non-members. The free webinars allowed the MCAA to collect vital information on which topics are important to mason contractors, and create custom marketing programs to target specific contractors about upcoming opportunities. Additionally, the MCAA was able to obtain valuable contact information from non-members to promote membership to their companies.

Industry suppliers and manufacturers will be able to sponsor webinars throughout 2018. Sponsorship opportunities include:
  • $250 Members / $500 Non-Members to sponsor one individual webinar
  • $750 Members / $1,000 Non-Members to host one specialty webinar
  • $2,000 Members / $2,500 Non-Members to sponsor five individual webinars, and host two specialty webinars
All sponsors will be thanked during the webinar and their logo will be displayed at the beginning of each session. Sponsors will also have access to the registered attendee list for webinars they host or sponsor.

Visit www.masoncontractors.org/live to view a list of upcoming webinars for 2018.

Best Practices Seminar

The Education Committee is working to complete the development of the Best Practices Seminar (formerly the Masonry Quality Institute). The course will feature eight, two-hour segments including:
  • Quality Assurance
  • Human Resources
  • Coordination and Teaming with Other Trades
  • Best Masonry Processes and Practices
  • Sales and Marketing of Your Company and the Industry
  • Best Business Management Practices
  • Best and Most Efficient Equipment Practices
  • Engineered Masonry
The segments will be taught by mason contractors. The seminar will be offered during future MCAA Conventions and individually online as webinars.

Detail Videos

The Education Committee is looking into the development of short videos that focus on details of the jobsite. Suggested topics include:
  • Covering Walls
  • Flashing
  • Material Handling
  • Mixing and Retempering Mortar by Hand
  • Proper Lifting
These videos will be produced in conjunction with Masonry and will likely be included with a written piece. The videos will be available on both the MCAA and Masonry websites.

Spanish Translation

Masonry magazine published multiple articles in Spanish throughout 2017. Additional technical talks and safety toolbox talks will be translated in the near future.

The Year Ahead

The Education Committee will continue to provide top quality education programs to mason contractors and work to develop new courses for the masonry industry.
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More