Report of the MCAA Education Committee

Words: David HillAdvanced Masonry Estimating Seminar
After hosting a number of successful Basic Masonry Estimating courses both at convention and at off-site locations, we have had a number of requests for an advanced level course. For the 2005 Masonry Showcase, Steve Saucerman has put together a program addressing the needs of estimators to enhance their current skills. Topics include: overview of computer-aided estimating and masonry estimating programs, design-build strategies, working with assemblies versus line item take-offs, and alternate proposal techniques. Steve Saucerman worked with the MCAA to put together a Basic Masonry Estimating book. He is currently putting together a proposal for the advanced level book to add to our educational resources as well as an aid for any future Advanced Estimating seminars we might hold.

Seminar offerings at convention
For our 2005 program we have expanded our seminar offerings from 2 courses to 4. We had a sell out seminar for Foreman Development at the 2004 show in Vegas and will be offering the program again for 2005. New additions for 2005 include the Advanced Masonry Estimating Seminar, Masonry Wall Bracing Seminar (presented by Rashod Johnson), and an OSHA 10-hr Occupational Safety and Health Seminar. With the new alliance with OSHA, they will be present on the show floor to educate members on the alliance and have also donated a speaker to present the 10-hr seminar.

Masonry Showcase Education Sessions
The education session program for 2005 is complete and all speakers have been contracted. We have expanded our offerings for education sessions to 16 total topics. A number of presentations will be held discussing hot-topics currently in the masonry industry, educating contractors on new detailing and specs, and a number of sessions with a architect/specifer attendee focus further educating on masonry sustainability and detailing.

New to attendees for 2005, all attendees registered for education programs at any of the 3 Construct America shows will be able to attend all education sessions hosted by any of the 3 groups.

MCAA Resource Catalog
For 2005, the education committee will be revamping the MCAA Resource Catalog. The current catalog has a number of resources that are obsolete and no longer available. A scaled down version of the catalog will be put together with updated resource material offerings. Advertisements will be solicited to help cover printing and marketing costs as well as the procurement of new resource materials. Project completion date is scheduled for June 2005.

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