MCAA Regional Report, Region C

Words: John JacobMichigan - Ed Davenport
Ohio - Greg Schuerman
West Virginia - No State Chairman

Workforce Development

Ohio

There are 88 Vocational, Trade, Technology, schools servicing Ohio High School Students. There are currently only 14 dedicated Masonry Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors, with one school having only 4 weeks of masonry and one having only having 9 weeks of masonry. The total number of Juniors (155) and Seniors (151). Two schools have less than 12 total students, Seven schools have less than 18 total students. These programs are hard enough to keep in the vocational schools, but several are close to being closed if the number of students do not increase. Ohio has lost 10 dedicated masonry programs in the last seven years.

The Ohio Vocational Schools can participate in two masonry competitions as well as the VICA State Competition. Two of the competitions are supported by the entire masonry industry. One is hosted by a Union training center, the other is hosted at one of the Vocational Training Centers.

Ohio is changing their programs from a State Standard to Units thereby allowing students to get experience in multiple trades. This format dilutes the masonry class and reduces the time for students to not only learn masonry construction, but also inhibits the ability of students to lay brick and block with less time with hands-on training.

There are some adult education programs throughout Ohio, but these are “Multiple Trades” classes, no numbers are available to report at this time.

Michigan

No report as of this writing.

Wyoming

No State Chairman

Masonry Marketing Activities

Ohio

Ohio is blessed to have multiple masonry associations. Between the International Masonry Institute, Ohio Masonry Association and Tri-State Masonry Institute, as of January 2015 the Brick Industry regional Office has closed. Promotional activities of the Ohio associations cover contractor education, design education, owner and municipality education. There are two smaller associations, Mason Contractors Association of Northeast Ohio and the Cincinnati Brick Council, which contribute very little to the promotion and marketing of masonry, due to either budget or participation.

The Ohio Masonry Association, and the International Masonry Institute present accredited programs to designers, end users and installers throughout the year. Josh Naragon, Executive Director of the Ohio Masonry Association has been reaccredited to present NCMA AIA programs, and have been approved by the BIA to present their AIA Accredited Courses.

Josh Naragon, Executive Director of the Ohio Masonry Association serves as a Captain for the CMU Check-Off bill. Ohio Masonry Association supports the Check-Off and Josh travels the state educating the industry on the program.

The Ohio Masonry Association and Tri-State Masonry Institute host awards programs. Tri-State Masonry Institute holds one each year and the Ohio Masonry Association holds one every other year.

As many know the PCA is putting most of its resources in pavement. PCA helps fund the Ohio efforts in masonry promotion as well as other cementitious materials, but in recent years has reduced its funding to masonry by over 70% in Ohio. Further cuts may be coming in 2016 as there is a movement to remove the regional PCA offices from PCA and make them an independent group of the supporting cement manufacturers. Additionally with acquisitions and mergers, there are 4 cement companies that will become 2 and one of these does not support the PCA. This may further affect PCA’s funding. This dramatically affects the ability to promote and market until other sources can replace what has been lost.

Michigan

No report as of this writing.

Wyoming

No State Chairman

College and Universities

Ohio

Colleges and Universities are involved in masonry programs both in architecture and engineering. The National Concrete Masonry Association’s Foundation helps fund some of these programs hosted by local CMU producers or the Ohio Masonry Association and its producers.

Currently The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, The University of Dayton, and Kent State, all have programs currently running or just finished. The University of Toledo, Sinclair, University of Cincinnati, have had programs in the last two to three years.

Michigan

No report as of this writing.

Wyoming

No State Chairman

Economic Conditions Forecast

Ohio

There has been an increase in construction for Ohio, but to determine wall share, there is no formula to determine the increase or decrease in masonry wall share at this time. Contractors, CMU producers, and masonry suppliers are busier than past years. Schools still are being designed and in some pockets, there are still schools being designed for 2015-2016. The big school boom for the most-part is over.

Problems with material quality / installation issues, and design problems have made a negative impact on masonry. “Low Bid” scenario, materials provided by manufacturers out of state no longer in business, cutting corners in the field and poor design all play a part.

As our industry pushes the envelope of new design and materials and upcoming energy code changes, masonry will start taking more share back. Steel Stud will be heavily affected by the new energy code, putting masonry and other material systems back on top.

Michigan

No report as of this writing.

Wyoming

No State Chairman

South of 40

Ohio

In Cincinnati, there are at a minimum 16 people working within the masonry contractor management teams / principals.

Michigan

No report as of this writing.

Wyoming

No State Chairman
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