June 01, 2005 6:00 PM CDT

MCAA Workforce Development Committee

By Melissa Polivka

The Workforce Development Committee has had a busy year of improving on our current programs and launching new initiatives. Our committee members are all actively participating in our efforts to promote masonry careers and grow our workforce. We remain focused on our activities in the nation's high schools, the Masonry Skills Challenge, and Skills USA. Plus, we are expanding our focus to include the industry's instructors, furthering the education of our Spanish-speaking apprentices, and promoting excellence in our workforce through the Fastest Trowel contest. We are laying the foundation of tomorrow's workforce through these efforts and the results are beginning to show.

The committee meeting at the Masonry Showcase in Chicago was very well attended and lively. Our members are certainly committed to growing and promoting the industry's workforce. We also held a subcommittee meeting of 15 masonry instructors from across the country, and heard many insights into what the MCAA can provide to and learn from them. We look forward to continuing to build these strong committees and seeing our workforce excel.

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About the Author

Melissa Polivka spent time as the Director of Marketing, Director of Membership, and Director of Workforce Development for the Mason Contractors Association of America.