Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 23
MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block and the International Masonry Skills Challenge
MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block and the International Masonry Skills Challenge were developed years ago to focus the attention of the industry's mason contractors on the need and benefits of recruitment and training. For the past two years, The QUIKRETE Companies has been the lead sponsor of the national competitions in Chicago and Las Vegas. These competitions have become highly successful in challenging the industry's contractors to become involved at the local level to help recruit, train and employ apprentices. While other contests only serve the private interests of for-profit entities, MCAA's national contests serve the long-term interests of the industry and masons' futures.
"I believe that showcasing our most highly skilled trainees and bricklaying teams will draw attention to our industry and the pride that it instills in it's workers," said Paul Hoggatt of Hoggatt LP. "By displaying this to the public, we are marketing our industry to future potential workers and parents of potential workers."
Joel Guth of Masonry Technology Inc. agreed that the MCAAs national contests are vital to the promotion and reputation of the industry. "I absolutely believe it has a positive effect," he said. "I see it raising the skill and performance standards of individual masons and raising the quality of finished work."
The International Masonry Skills Challenge
THE INTERNATIONAL Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second- and third-year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. This exciting competition spotlights the masonry industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.
"Showcasing our brightest and best is a great way to attract young people and their parents to masonry careers," said Lynn Nash of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association Inc. "Successfully competing in these contests provides a sense of accomplishment, which is good for morale."
Contestants
WATCH AS the top apprentices from across the country compete against each other to win the honor of "Best Masonry Apprentice."
Contestants are divided by experience level: "First Years," who are just entering the trade, through "Third Years," who are just about to enter the workforce as skilled masons. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.
Building Interest in Our Labor Force, One Competition at a Time
BUILDING A STRONG labor force for the industry is not easy. However, through the support of mason contractors at the local and regional levels, working together with suppliers, our industry can guarantee that we can train future masons.
"The skilled workforce in the masonry industry is growing older and is not increasing as fast as the demand for those skills," Hoggatt said. "Although there are many good training programs around the country capable of training more students, it has become more difficult to attract youth to our industry. We in the masonry industry need to change our present image to one that will be far more attractive to the youth of our country. We need to instill pride back into our industry."
While Hoggatt is correct in his concern for the need for preparation of the next generation of skilled workers, there are no quick fixes or short-cuts to building a strong labor force. It takes a coordinated and consistent effort between national and local associations working together to provide enthusiastic recruiting, quality curricula and inspirational instruction; this is the role of the industry's associations.
The catch? The projects are a complete surprise! Contestants must build their project without ever having seen the drawings. They haven't been able to practice, and they can't consult their instructor, employer or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials.
Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level. Come and see who wins tops honors this year!
How Contestants are Judged
THE MASON CONTRACTORS Association of America provides judges for the competition through the instructors subcommittee of MCAA. Contestants must be able to demonstrate skills appropriate for the level in which they are competing. The completed contestant projects are judged on 10 categories, for a total of 200 possible points.
How to Enter the Next Masonry Skills Challenge
EACH YEAR, nine regional contests are held to determine who will represent each region at the national Masonry Skills