Masonry Magazine February 2006 Page. 19
Training and Workforce Development are crucial issues addressed by the Mason Contractors Association of America's (MCAA) Strategic Long-range Plan. To realize the Association's envisioned future to make masonry the building system of choice-one of our five key goals is providing the industry with an ample workforce. The MCAA's efforts and initiatives toward this goal are focused on encouraging students to pursue a career in masonry, and promoting the training programs and apprenticeship opportunities offered throughout the country.
On the following pages, you will read about 16 masonry programs that the MCAA works with, through partnerships with organizations such as the National Masonry Instructors Association (NMIA), SkillsUSA, the Masonry Skills Challenge, career days and others. The classes at these schools range from small to large, newly created to long established, public and private. The common bonds between all of these programs are the instructors' dedication to improving our industry, and the students' desires to be a part of our enduring skilled trade. Educators at these training programs are employing innovative techniques in teaching masonry, and they are developing masons who graduate with the tools to advance the masonry industry far into the future.
Workforce development is a topic that comes and goes from our industry's radar. When work is up, we scramble for employees. When work is slowed, we leave it on the backburner. Training the future masons for our businesses must become an ongoing focus if we are going to compete with other building systems and keep up with the economic predictions for the next decade. The MCAA's efforts need the full support of our industry's contractors, suppliers and partners to ensure that programs like the ones that follow remain and thrive.
J.F. Ingram State Technical College, Deatsville, Ala.
Instructor: David H. Milledge
Number of Students: 24
The J.F. Ingram State Technical College's masonry program has been in existence for 30 years. The student population currently ranges in age from 18 to 54. This program was set up to give incarcerated individuals the opportunity to learn a skilled trade that will upgrade the students' quality of life once they are released into society.
For more information, visit www.ingram.cc.al.us.
Wallace Community College, Eufaula, Ala.
Instructor: C.W. Bynum
Number of Students: 30
With additional locations in Dothan and Fort Rucker, the Wallace Community College (WCC) has maintained an excellent masonry program since the 1960s. Instructor C.W. Bynum has more than 30 years' experience in the industry, the last 20 of which have been in education and contracting. WCC students participate in SkillsUSA competitions and consistently place in the top five in state competition and the top 10 at the national level. WCC took top place in nationals in 1997.
The WCC masonry department also participates in community service projects, including Habitat for Humanity where students recently dug the foundation, poured the slab and dri veway, and built a landscaping retainer wall. In addition, students regularly build projects for local churches and schools.
The common bonds between all of these programs are the instructors' dedication to improving our industry, and the students' desires to be a part of our enduring skilled trade.
The program's job placement rate is 94 percent. WCC is an open enrollment institution; no high school diploma is required, and financial aid is available. Instruction is also offered on location to inmates at Easterling Correctional Facil-ity as part of the state mandate to offer career/technical educa-tion for non-violent offenders in need of job training.
For more information, visit www.wallace.edu.
District Council Training Center, Addison, III.
Director: Bob Arnold
Number of Students: More than 700
February 2006
Masonry 17