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Our Promotional Successes |
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Masons Maintained on PA Priority Occupations List
Through Governor Rendell and the Departments of Education, Labor & Industry, Community & Economic Development and Public Welfare, a list of targeted industry
clusters was created to address those sectors facing workforce challenges now and in the future. Industries on the “priority list” are a part of an
“aggressive strategy” to increase workforce in those areas. This designation allows for funding from the federal government that is coming to PA to
potentially go to mason training at the secondary, post secondary and adult training level. Without this designation, the Secondary and Post Secondary
Schools in the State could lose funding for their programs. These programs create “seed employees” for the union and non-union mason contractors alike.
There are no down sides to getting this funding opportunity – only negatives if we are removed.
When reviewing the Building and Construction Cluster, it was apparent that masonry was not included originally in 2005 but PCMA was able to show support
and get masons added to the list. Upon review of the criteria, we could have had masons removed from the list as of July 2007 and again in 2009. PCMA members
gathered letters from masonry contracting companies stating the need for masons. Within the two week time frame, we were able to get letters of support
showing three times the amount needed by the State. Our submissions were successful in reinstating masons on this very important High Priority Occupations list.
PCMA continues to be the lead association as the voice of the masonry industry in the State with the PA Department of Education and The Workforce Investment Board
of the PA Center for Workforce Information and Analysis. |
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2 Hour Version of the Generic Segmental Retaining Wall Seminar Developed
PCMA committee members developed a 2 hour version of our popular “Planning and Design Considerations for Segmental Retaining Wall” Seminar. This new seminar compliments
the original 1 hour seminar developed in 2006 and presented to engineers, landscape professionals and the PA Department of Transportation. This seminar is the only one
of its kind in the country and has been extremely well received. |
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Residential Basement
A new website, www.blockbasement.org was created to show the benefits of concrete masonry to homeowners searching on the internet.
We are also developing a brochure to highlight the benefits of block basements without attacking the competing systems. We are
also preparing a “Recommended Practices for Concrete Block Basements” brochure that will be distributed to building code officials
and masons giving them an easy reference to block basement compliance with the IRC. |
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NOCTI Cut Score Project
The masonry instructors at the secondary level in PA expressed concern about the raising of the cut scores for the
NOCTI test which determine if a student passes the course. John Koenigsberg, Indiana County Career & Tech Center,
was the instructor who brought this issue, that the brick and block tests scores were recently revised to make them
too high for most of the students to pass and get a certificate, to the forefront and the attention of the PA
Department of Education. PCMA Executive Director, Jan Boyer worked with the PA Dept. of Education through a
consultant from NOCTI to review the test and the appropriate cut scores. Three meetings were set up in March with
participation from instructors, masons and industry to review the test.
In late April, just in time for the final testing for end of school year 2008 – 2009, the results showed that the
cut scores should be reduced 30 points beginning immediately. This reduction will make a positive impact on the
students and the masonry programs.
The NOCTI Consultant, Rae Lees, sent a complimentary note about how accommodating and wonderful to work with our
masonry group of instructors, masons and industry representatives were on this project - a good testament to our
great industry. This project will now go to the national level to get accurate cuts scores for others throughout
the US as well. |
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Penn State Architectural Student Design Competition
The extremely successful event in Spring 2009 at Penn State University with a total of 43 entries from the
architecture students. The winners are: 1st place - Colleen McDonough; 2nd place - Lynne Daniels and 3rd place
- Elijah Dolly. The jury gave four Honorable Mentions to: George Gard, Caitlin Roe, Chad Garrety and Amanda Montemore.
The competition was sponsored by the NCMA Education and Research Foundation and the students will have an opportunity
to present their projects to NCMA at the Mid Year Meeting. A detailed report of the project, which included a trip to
Penn College of Technology for a “Hands On” day with the masonry students, is available at the PCMA office.
Ute Poerschke, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Architecture oversaw the project and is very thankful for the generous
support which has given the students an extremely valuable and enduring experience. |
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Masonry Instructors Workshop
The Third Annual Pennsylvania Masonry Instructors Workshop was held on September 29, 2008 at the Wildwood Conference
Center of Harrisburg Area Community College. It was coordinated by PCMA with sponsorship from the Pennsylvania
Department of Education and special thanks to the Northeast Cement Shippers Association for their financial
contribution which made the workshop possible. The purpose of the event was to provide a forum for the exchange
of ideas and assistance for teaching young men and women to have the best possible skills for entrance into the
workplace or for post secondary education for masonry.
The agenda for the full day Workshop included:
• Review of Latest Pennsylvania Initiatives – & Certification
• Certification Program for Vo-Tech Programs
• Recruitment
• PA Skills USA Discussion
• Small Group Breakout Sessions
Anchoring & Reinforcement – Mike McConnaughey, Wirebond
Masonry Fireplaces – Dana Martini & Robbie Hyde, Superior Clay
Grout & Mortar – Fred Croen & Dan Gallagher, Keystone Cement Company
Flashing – Tony Mirarchi, Bricklayers & Allied Craftsworkers Local 5
The keynote speaker, Al Herndon from Florida was exceptionally interesting and entertaining while providing suggestions on recruitment efforts.
The Fourth Annual Workshop is scheduled for September 21, 2009.
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ABC 27 Extreme Home Makeover in Harrisburg Area
PCMA members participated in the ABC 27 Extreme Home Makeover May 1 – 8, 2009 by providing donations of materials
and masons to help with the project. Several secondary school masonry instructors and their students provided their
services for labor and York Building Products supplied and block and supplies for the basement wall. Rinox Pavers
supplied materials and labor for a sidewalk on the property. We thank these members for their efforts to help a
very needy family in the Harrisburg area. This was a good public relations effort to showcase masonry products
and masons in this regional effort. |
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