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Bringing respect and admiration back to vocational training in high schools is a major focus for the MCAA
September 2013

Workforce a familiar friend

Chairman’s Message

By

As we emerge from the recession we’ve all been wrapped up in, there is a new – but familiar – issue for our industry surfacing, and that is our workforce.

While many areas have not seen a major recovery yet, there are some pockets around the country already feeling the results of a five-year downturn in our industry, and that is a loss of our craftsmen. Coming out of the downturn, it will be our challenge as an industry to rebuild our workforce and train for the future.

One thing the MCAA is doing to face this issue head on is working to develop high school vocational programs, and facilitate those programs’ use of the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s programs. These are now MCAA-backed masonry apprenticeship programs. Bringing respect and admiration back to vocational training in high schools is a major focus for the MCAA and should be for our country, as a whole.

As a part of this development, the MCAA is starting a pilot program in the state of Kentucky this year. It will be the first program we have taken on, based on the information the Masonry Association of Florida has worked with us on during the last three years regarding setting up a successful high school program that can help fund a post-secondary apprenticeship program.

We are excited to see it start and also are excited to see other programs starting this fall. The Utah Masonry Council is setting up a program, the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute is setting up a program, and others are working theirs. It is time to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for our future by investing in our future craftsmen.

Of course, you can learn all about this initiative and others at our Midyear Meeting next month in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at the Disney Beach Club Resort. I would hope to see many of you there, and we would love to share with you the many things happening at the MCAA and how we are planning and building for our future. Check out the meeting plans at www.masoncontractors.org/midyear.

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The opportunity to ‘talk shop’ with other mason contractors is extremely valuable.”

Joe Bonifate
Arch Masonry & Restoration
MCAA member since 2012

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