Masonry Magazine April 2000 Page. 27
Masonry Skills Challenge
Creates National Excitement
for Apprenticeship Training
By Kimberly Shifflette,
Director of Education
Twenty-one apprentices from the U.S. and six from Canada competed in the first annual Masonry Skills Challenge held in conjunction with THE MASONRY SHOW in Las Vegas on February 10, 2000. The Masonry Skills Challenge is an international competition of masonry apprentices in three skill levels: first year, second year and third year. The MCAA spearheaded the competition in order to place more emphasis on training, skill and craftsmanship and less emphasis on speed, like fastest trowel. It was designed to be a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry and to not only spotlight our industry's finest young bricklayers, but also to spotlight careers in the masonry industry. "The MCAA has long been placing emphasis on solving the masonry industry's training and recruiting problems. By showcasing the pride and skills of our future workforce, the Masonry Skills Challenge adds one more piece toward solving that puzzle," said Doug Nichols, MCAA Training Committee Chairman.
The Masonry Skills Challenge brought excitement to skills training across the United States as regional qualifying competitions were held. From Maryland to California and everywhere in between, apprentices were offered the opportunity to compete in a regional competition. Winners from these competitions were then eligible to compete in the international competition in Las Vegas.
In addition to the United States competitors, the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association sent six apprentices from across Canada to compete. "We were very excited to be invited to compete in this competition and hope that this is a start of a reinvestment of the relationship between Canadian and U.S. contractors," stated John Blair, Executive Director of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. "It gave our apprentices the opportunity to see how masons in the United States work together like one large family."
The twenty-seven apprentices spent an exciting two days in Las Vegas. The day before the competition, they worked side-by-side with thirty-five architects from across the U.S., who were in Las Vegas for the Architects' Masonry Symposium, and local contractors to complete the first-ever all masonry Habitat for Humanity home in Las Vegas. Amazingly, the home was completed in just one day during which the apprentices gained valuable contact with their peers.
For the international Masonry Skills Challenge competition, each contestant was presented with a project, which Continued on next page. Chris Harness from Anderson Masonry in Dayton, OH took second place in the third year skill level.
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MASONRY-MARCH/APRIL, 2000 27