Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 8
President's Message
Frank Campitelli
President, Mason Contractors
Association of America
MCAA's Skills Competitions Create Enthusiasm for Training
One of the few common denominators that we all face as contractors is the need for a skilled workforce. Unfortunately, our labor force is the one area of our business that we spend very little time developing. We all know that recruiting and training a mason can't be accomplished simply by throwing money at it; it takes our active participation and commitment. The biggest thing that it needs from us is our time.... granted, which we never seem to have enough of as business owners.
Recognizing that fact, the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has focused a great deal of its attention and resources on developing our future labor force and motivating contractors to become involved in hiring and training the future workforce.
Two events that have had success in this effort are MCAA's International Masonry Skills Challenge and the Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions. Both national events focus our industry's attention on training our number one resource: our workforce.
For years, our Association has been developing nation-wide interest in events such as the Masonry Skills Challenge, where our local, regional and state affiliates conduct apprentice contests to determine who will represent their regions at the national competition. These local and national competitions get contractors interested in apprentice training. At every national contest, held during the MCAA Masonry Showcase, I hear contractors talking about participating in their local contests or even starting a local contest themselves. We have seen a steady growth in the development of local contests all across the United States and Canada. Clearly our contests have had a favorable impact in stimulating interest in workforce development.
A decade ago, interest in training was low. Contractors looked to others, such as the union or suppliers, to help provide training. Today, through the efforts of our skills contests and our focus on high school career initiatives, interest is on the rise and our industry contractors are taking the lead in training.
Watching our nation's finest apprentices and journeymen compete in our national contests is contagious. In this issue of Masonry, Kate Parrott, assistant editor, writes about MCAA's skills events and the success that they have had in building our labor force (see page 20).1 urge you to read the feature to find out more about the two premiere events that are sponsored by the MCAA.
I urge you to get active with the MCAAs International Masonry Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block contests. Also, come watch the national contests at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Feb. 23 and 24. Once you do, we think that you will be hooked and excited about getting in the game of training for our future.
MCAA New Members
The Mason Contractors Association of America is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association. MCAA would like to take this opportunity to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a stronger masonry industry. MCAAs members look forward to a long affiliation with their firms.
B&C Masonry
2621 Waiwai Loop
Honolulu, Hawal
Volume Classification: A
C&B Masonry
2621 Waiwai Loop
Honolulu, Hawal
Volume Classification: A
Canyon State Masonry, Inc.
12336 W. Butler
Suite 200
El Mirage, Arizona
Volume Classification: D
Dura/ Constructors
765 Amana St, Suite 500
Honolulu, Hawaii
Volume Classification: A
Famiglietti Enterprises, LLC
27 Devine Road
Suffield, Connecticut
Classification:
Chapter Associate
Foundations of Hawaii
94-547 Ulkee St.
Suite 211
Waipahu, Hawai
Volume Classification: A
K Masonry
2440A East Manca Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
Volume Classification: A
Lui Construction, Inc.
1040 Sand Island Parkway
Honolulu, Hawaii
Volume Classification: A
Masonpro Masonry Accessories, Inc.
1717 Acme St.
Orlando, Florida
Classification:
Chapter Associate
Modern Masonry & Construction
1830 Valley Ridge Dri
Imperial. Missouri
Volume Classificatione
Ono Construction
91-284 Komohara St
Kapolei, Hawaii
Volume Classification
Reef Development
99-930 Iwaena Road
Suite 1078
Aica, Hawail
Volume Classification
Song, Leonard Inc.
46-272 Kalaii St.
Kaneohe, Hawai
Volume Classification
Superior Concrete Services
PO Box 4249
Waianea, Hawaii
Volume Classification
Tokunaga Masonry
1024 Kikowaena Pla
Honolulu, Hawaii
Volume Classification
Trogdon Masonry,
2125A Swift Creek
Smithfield, North Ca
Volume Classification
If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America as a contractor, supplier or instructor, please contact MCAA's Director of Membership, Melissa Polivka, at 800-536-2225, or complete an application at www.masoncontractor.org