Masonry Magazine August 1996 Page. 14
Check Out "Check Out a Career in Masonry"
If you haven't obtained your own copy of the MCAA recruitment kit, you are missing an excellent recruitment tool.
The MCAA's recruitment materials were released last October. "We have sold nearly 200 recruitment kits since they became available last Fall" reports MCAA's Executive Director, Michael Adelizzi. "That works out to about one kit per day."
According to the response and the feedback that individuals have provided, the material provides an honest, but upbeat and positive look at the Masonry Trade. "The video is outstanding", says David Weatherford a Masonry Instructor. "I teach Masonry to 1st and 12th graders and after seeing this video enthusiasm went through the roof. It is great for young people to see and hear such positive testimony."
The recruitment kit includes a 10-minute video, 40-color brochures, a 2x3 foot poster and some presentation guidelines, a sample script and a list of the most frequently asked questions. All of this information comes in a heavy-duty plastic case. The plastic case serves two functions. First, for those who use it for personal presentations, it provides an excellent way to store and carry the information. According to Mike Boucher at Seedorff Masonry, "Of all the recruitment videos out there I like this one the best... and the case provides an easy way to take all the information with you".
Additionally, the kit provides a great way to hold all of the information together if it is being used as a reference in a library or a guidance counseling office.
MCAA Education Director, Connie Kitzinger, reports that the kits have been purchased by contractors, brick and block manufacturers and instructors. "We have people who do many career-day type presentations buying the kits to use to supplement their presentations". We have also had several bulk purchases made. Those individuals bought enough kits to put one in the guidance counseling office in all of their local high schools."
"The recruitment material was designed to help get the information about the masonry trade out to the high schools, vocational schools and even the grade schools. Based on the rate at which we are selling this material, I believe we are meeting our goal," said Mr. Adelizzi.
MCAA's Masonry Training Series Ready This Summer
The MCAA's 3-Volume Training Series is currently in production and will be released in July of 1996. Its release marks the end of several years of planning by the MCAA Training Committee and one year of writing and production.
The series was written by a team of authors drawn from all around the country. They were chosen based on their involvement with instruction and their experience as contractors.
Paul Clements, Sr., recently reviewed the entire three volume set. Of the series he said, "The material is well organized....and well written. "It is quite evident that true craftsmen from our industry wrote the material.
The Training Series is a three-volume set that contains information on 45 areas of masonry and an accompanying Instructor's Manual. The information in the student text is divided in to individual modules. These modules are housed in three-ring binders. "The benefit of the binders" said Connie Kitzinger, Continued on next page 29
BOOKS FILMS
New Joint Effort Publication on Code Requirements - Masonry Structures
The American Concrete Institute announces the availability of its latest report titled Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures and Specifications for Masonry Structures and Related Commentaries, 530-95/530.1-95. This long awaited publication replaces the earlier 1992 version. The Code covers the design and construction of masonry structures. Among the subjects included are: permits and drawings; quality assurance; materials; placing embedded items; analysis and design; strength and serviceability; flexural and axial loads; shear; details and development of reinforcement; walls; columns; pilasters; beams and lintels; and an empirical design method applicable to buildings meeting specific size, location, and construction criteria. The Specifications cover minimum construction requirements for masonry structures. Included are requirements for materials; the placing, bonding and anchoring of masonry; the placement of grout and of reinforcement. The Code and Specifications are written as legal documents so that they may be adopted by reference in a general building code. Therefore, they cannot contain background details or suggestions for carrying out their requirements or intents. The Commentaries to the Code and Specifications sever this function. Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures and Specifications for Masonry Structures and Related Commentaries 195, soft cover 88 pages. Order Code: 053095.P056. $72.00 (ACI members $54.00) For details, contact The American Concrete Institute, Member/Customer Services Department, P.O. Box 9094, Farmington Hills, MI 48333; Tel (810) 848-3800, FAX (810) 848-3801, TDD (810) 848-3823.