Masonry Magazine November 2008 Page. 20
EDUCATION & TRAINING
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR MASONRY PROFESSIONALS
Having the upper hand when bidding for contracts in today's economic climate is paramount. Two major differences that can set professional masons apart from the would-be professionals are training and certification. To that end, a number of certification programs are evolving around the country, offering tough programs that carry much weight when contractors are vying for jobs.
One particularly stringent program is the MCAA's Masonry Certification Program. Developed with the end-user in mind by a sub-committee of the MCAA's education committee, the program's curriculum was drafted with the help of executive directors of the local chapters, mason contractors and members of the American Institute of Architects.
"We've had a very large level of interest," says Jeff Buczkiewicz, executive director of the MCAA, regarding the program. "There seems to be some confusion about the program out there, so we're working to come up with more concise information about it - something easier to read. We've had a tremendous amount of calls."
A number of those calls led to the program's first four certifications for companies earlier this year. Completion of the certifications was no easy task as the program requires 100 hours of education credits, most of which participants have to seek and complete on their own outside the MCAA Masonry Quality Institute (MQI) course offerings. They must also pass a tough, 100-question exam. All of the credits don't have to be earned in the classroom, however. Any education is counted, such as hands-on training or learning a new software program, for example.
"Our goal is to provide architects, designers, construction contractors and consumers with an easy way to select and specify professional mason contractors," says Buczkiewicz, adding that companies have to renew certification every three years. "Certification now gives them the tools to seek out contractors who have committed their entire firm to meet the stringent requirements of the program."
BY K.K. SNYDER