Masonry Magazine May 2007 Page. 24
MASONRY CERTIFICATION
Question: Why are you requiring all of my forepersons to take educational classes in order for me to be eligible to take the exam?
The committee felt that the success of a contractor and his or her ability to perform quality work relies heavily on educated supervisory personnel. Also, customers with whom we have spoken show a strong interest in requiring forepersons to gain a minimum level of education. In fact, we actually looked at requiring 60 percent of each contractor's personnel needing to achieve 15 credits, but members felt it would be too difficult to achieve. In response, they suggested that 100 percent of supervisory personnel was reasonable.
Question: My foreperson went through a formal apprentice training class. Will that count toward their 15 educational credits?
No. The committee believes that the supervisory personnel training should go directly to the heart of being an effective foreperson and superintendent. The committee is looking for education beyond the basics. The committee also determined that 15 hours is a reasonable level of supervisory training.
Question: Can I lose my certification?
Yes, although the mechanism by which a contractor can lose his or her certification has yet to be determined.
Again, this goes to the heart of our customers' comfort levels. If they specify a certified mason contractor, they should have some reasonable assurance that they will get a quality project.
Our members believe that it is time to do things differently and to work toward results. That new result is a strong national certification program.
The question is: What happens if they get a very poor performance, and that level of poor performance is habitual? The certification seal will become a brand that we must stand behind. Without doubt, if someone abuses it, they will lose their right to use the brand. The only thing to be determined is how and when that will happen.
Question: How do I keep my certification? Will I have to take another test?
Once you achieve certification, you will have to reapply every three years, tying into the code cycle. Recertification will require proof of 75 additional educational credits during that three-year period, but it will not require another exam.
Question: My father is phasing out of the company and I will be taking over in the next few years. Can I be the one to become certified?
That's a very good question. My guess is that the committee will look favorably on this type of situation. I suggest submitting a written request to get an interpretation from the committee.
As an association, we believe that the quality-conscious contractors will ultimately become certified. It is those same contractors who have spent the time and resources to provide training and education to their employees and who care about the future of the industry. It's those same contractors who are forced to compete with inferior contractors who continue to drag our industry down through poor performance and poor quality construction.
Our members believe that it is time to do things differently and to work toward new results. That new result is a strong national certification program that is fair, achievable and affordable. The key is to get started.
Sit down and do an inventory of all of the educational programs that you have completed during the past five years. You may be closer to earning those 200 credits than you think.
Finally, if I didn't answer your questions in this article, call me at the MCAA office, (800) 536-2225, and I'll do my best to address your concerns.
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