Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 8
The predominant theme emerging in this month's issue of MASONRY, which also happens to be the number one issue among mason contractors today, is the recruitment and development of our industry's workforce.
The existing labor shortage within the U.S. construction industry, which is projected to reach as low as one million skilled workers by the year 2005, has been a serious concern on the national and local level. As MCAA's Director of Education, Kimberly Shifflette stated in this month's cover story, Training and Recruiting: An Industry Report Card (page 16), the Mason Contractors Association of America has progressed over the last several years to make training and recruiting a top priority. Programs and materials to help boost the training and recruitment effort have been placed into effect, such as the "National Masonry Career Day", the "Career Day Survival" and "Check Out a Career in Masonry" kits, a "Setting Up a Recruitment and Training Program" brochure, and the Masonry Skills Challenge regional and international apprenticeship competitions. However, these advancements are only the beginning. More and more programs are needed on the local level, such as those put in place by the high-school and college instructors outlined in our cover story that will help make a difference. National conferences, such as MCAA's Masonry Showcase, the SkillsUSA-VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference, and the National Masonry Instructor's Association (NMIA) Annual Conference (see page 23 for more information) will help to bring the industry together and eventually tilt the shortage scale.
Featured on this month's cover is Jose Herrera of L.F. Jennings, Inc., located in Falls Church, Virginia. Jose was one of twenty-seven apprentices from the U.S. and Canada who competed in this year's Masonry Skills Challenge. He took home the first place prize in the third-year apprentice level. The Masonry Skills Challenge was held for the second consecutive year in Orlando, Florida on February 24, 2001, in conjunction with MCAA's Masonry Showcase. It is an international competition of masonry apprentices in three skill levels: first year, second year, and third year. It is a showcase for skills training in the masonry
from the editor
industry, designed to spotlight the industry's finest, young masons. It also aims to heighten awareness and elevate interest in careers in masonry among teens and young adults. A full write-up on this year's Masonry Skills Competition is included in the Masonry Showcase Review, which starts on page 30.
Speaking of apprentices in the spotlight this month's "Apprentice of the Month" (featured on page 46 of this issue), highlights Salvatore Lucido of Shelby TWP, Michigan. At only eighteen years of age, Salvatore is one of several students across the country who have demonstated exceptional ability and hard work in the masonry trade. Lucido also competed in the national masonry contest held this past summer in Kansas City, Missouri in conjunction with the SkillsUSA-VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Workforce recruitment and development was also a topic of discussion at this year's MCAA Board meeting, which was held on Thursday, February 22 in Orlando in conjunction with the Masonry Showcase. With the guidance of a new strategic plan, which was introduced at the meeting, the Board has vowed to become more aggressive in expanding the influence of mason contractors in the area of workforce development (see page 14, "Short Term Strategies Discussed to Move the Association into Action"). One key idea that came out of the meeting was to develop a mentoring program for apprentices.
True, the apparent theme in this month's issue focused on workforce development/recruitment and training, but I think the overall message conveyed, that should stand out in our minds, is that the skilled labor problem is not going to solve itself. We all must get involved, think creatively, and continue to work together to make a significant impact.
Choppatodell
Debra J. Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief