Masonry Magazine October 1997 Page. 7
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Pachyderms on Parade
As of a couple of years ago, it was hard for our masonry industry to earn an "A" in recruiting and training of masons (masonry technicians as I called them before). Unfortunately, I was as guilty as anyone in letting others take on this responsibility. Sure all of us recruited and trained workers for our industry but those did not make up for the loss due to attrition.
But satisfying attrition is not enough. We are now fortunate to have an expanding masonry market which requires an increased number of trained workers.
This is why we need every mason contractor to step up to the plate and become involved in training. By making a commitment to the training of apprentices you will find this is a very rewarding endeavor for your company. This training commitment will translate to the awareness of your journeymen as well.
I recently attended the 33rd Annual Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), National skills masonry competition in Kansas City, Missouri, where I gave a presentation to the 44 contestants and their instructors from throughout the United States.
The VICA competition has broad support from the masonry industry including your Mason Contractors Association. These young men and women come from diversified programs of training, including; unionized apprentice programs, vo-tech schools, Job Corps, technical college programs and some on the job training.
I spoke to them about the expectations we (as mason contractors) have of them and what they can expect from us regarding working conditions, pay and other benefits. I also gave them a broader aspect of the masonry industry, and what the MCAA is doing to recruit and train qualified workers.
On the flight back home, I had time to reflect on what I had seen and the dedicated people I had the privilege of meeting. This includes the exchange of thoughts and ideas on training and industry needs. These people (instructors, judges, labor officials, supplier reps., and mason contractors) are the foundation of our industry. They train young masons and formulate ideas that are developed and are eventually implemented.
I couldn't help thinking about the blind man (visually impaired) who was asked to describe an elephant. His description reminds me of how our industry approaches training.
Because of your MCAA's leadership and support of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Brick Institute of America (BIA), the Portland Cement Association (PCA), the Expanded Shale Clay & Slate Institute (ESCSI), the masonry industry has made great in roads into uniformity and quality by the development and usage of the MCAA's training manuals.
These training manuals have had great acceptance with apprentice and/or training programs around the country. In fact, the first apprentices using the MCAA training manuals will graduate this fall in Phoenix. The MCAA's training manuals are fast fast becoming the industries accepted program for training. What our industry must now avoid is becoming diverted by all the non-endorsed training programs that offer either a quick fix for training methods or how they will handle all local training needs. In fact most of these national programs (i.e. ABC's Wheels of Learning) take money out of the industry and give little in return.
The MCAA's philosophy is simple. We promote the establishment of local mason recruitment and training programs with contractor involvement and support. We are backed by industry suppliers and other industry forces (Labor/ schools/Contractors Association, etc.) using quality materials with a staff of skilled and qualified instructors.
A quick fix/short term solution will not solve our long term training needs. Let's don't waste time by teaching the tricks of the trade instead teach them the trade with all its aspects. (Fireplaces, arches, columns, etc.)
We have made great strides. We are solving our labor issues one course at a time with our sights set on quality training. We must make every effort to preserve the unity of our industry. This includes training as it's origin with quality workers as it's future, and binding force.
Our work awaits us... let us begin.
Donald Grant
President, Mason Contractors
Association of America