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Florida reBuilds Initiative Contractors Awarded

Words: Francine AbramoffAt the Tampa Bay chapter meeting of the Masonry Contractors Association of Florida (MCAF), six Tampa Bay-area mason contractors were presented awards for their participation in the Florida reBuilds Initiative, an opportunity to offer incentive-based entry- and advanced-level training to their employees. This training is facilitated by the Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc. (FMAEFI) and the Florida reBuilds Initiative.

The Florida reBuilds Initiative counters Florida's current need for more than 13,000 skilled workers in the construction trade. Working with 24 regional workforce boards, agencies, and public and private educational and training institutions, Florida reBuilds equips those interested in construction/masonry careers with the training and skills necessary to succeed in the industry. The training providers and participating mason contractors received funds to offer classroom and on-the-job training to program participants.

Thirty participants received Certificates of Completion for their eight weeks of entry-level training, and Worknet Pinellas (a public/private partnership for employment and training in Florida) presented each mason contractor with checks totaling $30,000 for their participation in the training program.

Contractors whose trainees successfully complete the eight-week advanced training period will be eligible to receive an additional check for $1,500 per trainee, awarded in December.

For more information on participating in Florida reBuilds, visit www.masonryeducation.org.
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