Why SkillsUSA is the Keystone to MCAA’s Outreach

Words: Robert Melgaard
Photos: MCAA

When I stepped into the role of the MCAA’s first Director of Youth Outreach and Education, I knew we had a massive job ahead of us. I am a fourth-generation brick mason, and I have spent over two decades teaching the trade, from working with apprentices at Tallahassee Community College to running career and technical education programs for the Florida Department of Corrections. Over the years, I have seen the incredible, untapped talent in our young people, but I have also watched the skills gap in our industry grow wider.

Connecting the classroom to the job site is the heart of what we do in the MCAA's Outreach and Education initiatives. But here is the reality: we cannot do it alone. To build up a new generation of masonry professionals, we need partners who genuinely know how to mold career-ready leaders. That is why SkillsUSA is not just a nice program to have around. It is a vital piece of our long-term survival and success.

More Than Just Brick And Mortar
Most people know SkillsUSA as a massive workforce development organization. But for the masonry industry, it means so much more than just numbers on a page. At the MCAA, we are not just looking for someone who can lay a block. We are looking for our future foremen, project managers, and business owners.

SkillsUSA gets this. They focus on the whole student. They make sure students have the technical skills to meet our standards for precision and speed, but they also teach workplace skills like problem-solving and personal skills like integrity and showing up on time. When a student comes out of a SkillsUSA masonry program, they step onto our job sites actually ready for the real world.

The Crucible Of Competition
One of the best things SkillsUSA brings to the table is the spirit of competition. If you have ever been to a local school workshop, a state event, or the national SkillsUSA Championships, you know exactly what I mean. These competitions are the unsung heroes of our trade.

They force students to push their limits and perfect their craft under strict time limits. Even better, these events bring the industry right to the students. Contractors step up to judge and mentor, while suppliers generously provide the tools and materials. It creates an incredible environment where eager kids get to shake hands with their future employers. Plus, putting our trade in these high-energy, public arenas shows young people that masonry is a highly skilled, rewarding, and lucrative career to be proud of.

Aligning Our Goals On The Ground
A big part of my job now is helping to set up and support regional education centers, which ties right into the Concrete Masonry Checkoff’s mission to grow our industry. SkillsUSA already has the network in high schools and technical colleges to help us make these centers a reality.

By teaming up with local chapters, we can help teachers update their curricula to match what is actually happening on job sites today. We get to reach students early on, showing them that masonry is a first-choice career, not a backup plan. And maybe most importantly, we get to support the career and technical education instructors who are in the trenches every day teaching these kids.

Laying The Next Course Together
The truth is, the future of masonry comes down to our ability to attract, train, and keep dedicated people. We are attacking this challenge at the MCAA, but our success is tied directly to organizations like SkillsUSA.

When we support these programs, whether that means mentoring a local chapter, donating a pallet of blocks for a competition, or hiring a graduate, we are doing a lot more than just filling an open position. We are laying the groundwork for the future of our trade. Together, we can make sure the proud legacy of masonry craftsmanship stays strong for generations to come.

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Why SkillsUSA is the Keystone to MCAA’s Outreach

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