FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Competition Results ↗

Report of the MCAA Workforce Development Committee

Words: Moroni Mejia

NCCER

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the MCAA and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) formalizing a partnership between the two organizations. The revision of NCCER's masonry training curriculum began in October.

Members of the Workforce Development Committee joined subject matter experts from around the country at NCCER's headquarters to participate in a detailed review of the Masonry Level One book. The second meeting will be held in Dallas later this month. The curriculum review meetings will continue until all three volumes of the masonry curriculum have been reviewed and validated. Once the review is complete, focus will shift to developing the Mason Tender Training Curriculum and establishing a written and practical Mason Journey Level Assessment.

Skills USA and Workforce Development Forum

Kansas City was once again host to an outstanding Skills USA National Masonry Competition in June. An in-person Workforce Development discussion was held during the contestant/instructor luncheon in conjunction with the National Masonry Instructors Association. With the Brick Industry Association's and Skills USA's support a more in depth meeting will be held this year.

World of Concrete Competitions

The Fastest Trowel on the Block and International Masonry Skills Challenge will both be held during Masonry Madness on Wednesday, February 6 at the World of Concrete. The Skills Challenge contest area has been moved to the Gold Lot and will be used as a walkway into the BRICKLAYER 500 and Fastest Trowel contest areas. All eyes will be on the contests as we celebrate the best of our workforce.
 0
Stop Juggling: The Best Way to Master Your Masonry Job Sites
January 2026

You’re in the business of building structures that will stand for generations. Yet, too often, the process of managing the job site feels built on quicksand. Every construction project manager knows the feeling: the constant, fra

Erin Koets
Technical Talks
Read More
Brick Jointers: Purpose, Patterns, & Practical Applications
January 2026

After leads have been built and bricks have been laid, it’s crucial to tool the joints before the mortar sets. The tool of choice for this task is a brick jointer, but it can be tricky to decide which one to use. This guide will walk through the purpose o

Mackenzie Claassen
Technical Talks
Read More
Laying It Straight: Line-Holding Accessories for Masons Who Demand Precision
January 2026

When it comes to laying brick, block, or stone, nothing replaces a good line. A tight, true mason’s line is the backbone of straight courses and clean elevations, and the hardware holding that line is every bit as critical. Bon Tool’s lineup of Line & Lin

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Eye Protection in Masonry
January 2026

There are few stereotypes more iconic than the image of a construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety glasses. Protective glasses are among the most common items worn by workers in the masonry field, second only to the hard hat. According to OSHA, w

Justus Everett
Safety Library
Read More