Josh Rehme, Mason Saunders, and Frank Kocjancic Win At The MCAA Skills Challenge

The Competition Among First, Second, and Third-Year Apprentices Was Held At The 2022 World of Concrete

By Dan Kamys

The 2022 World of Concrete again served as the location for the MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level.

Contestants are divided by experience level, 'First Years' who are just entering the trade through 'Third Years' who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.

The catch? The projects are a complete surprise!

This year's top finishers were:

First-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Frank Kocjancic - Bricklayers Local 9 PA - Pittsburgh, PA

2nd Place - Sebastian Fernandez - Groesbeck Masonry - San Antonio, TX

3rd Place - Juan Mendez - Arizona Masonry Council / Recreate Companies - Phoenix, AZ

Second-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Mason Saunders - Huntley Brothers Company, Inc. - Midland, NC

2nd Place - Oscar Montano - Sun Valley Masonry - Tucson, AZ

3rd Place - Kurtis Sutter - Rudolph Libbe, Inc. - Gand Rapids, OH

Third-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Josh Rehme - Patrico Masonry - St. Louis, MO