AMCA Announces Formation of New Educational Foundation

Masonry apprenticeship to become stronger than ever in Arizona

By Lori Maximenko

At the 2010 AMCA Annual Meeting on January 23rd, The Arizona Masonry Contractors Association announced the formation of a new apprenticeship foundation: The Arizona Masonry Contractors Apprentice and Educational Foundation (AMCAEF).

The mission of the foundation will be to coordinate and provide education of the masonry trade across the state of Arizona. The foundation will become its own entity, separating financially from the AMCA. "This does not mean that our existing apprenticeship program is going away," shared Mike Summers, AMCAEF president, "It simply means that the existing program will continue to operate under a new name, with a separate board of directors, and become bigger and better than ever."

The officers and directors of this foundation will be as follows:

President: Mike Summers - Top Quality Masonry
Vice Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer: Jim LePage - LePage Masonry
Directors: Bob Ahlers - Rhino Masonry, Mike Sutter - Sutter Masonry, Clem Hellmann - Quality Block, Terry Rathbun - Sun Valley Masonry, Tucson

Moving forward, AMCAEF will include both the Apprenticeship and Certification Programs. The two programs will continue to operate separately; however, they will both be managed under the foundation.

The strategic goals of the foundation will be to:

Increase the participating & employing contractor base by promoting apprenticeship to AMCA/AMG and non-AMCA/AMG member contractors.

Increase activities of the certification program to coordinate education and conduct training to the masonry, specifying and construction industries.

Increase education efforts about apprenticeship and certification to architects, structural engineers, general contractors, building officials and inspectors, community planners and legislators.

Continue work with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Apprenticeship Office and the Arizona Workforce Connection.

Maintain the current apprenticeship feeder systems such as pre-apprenticeship in the High Schools and Workforce Development and community based programs.

"Forming a 501c3 will allow us the opportunity to apply for government grants in order to grow and increase the awareness of masonry apprenticeship and certification. We also hope to relieve some of the financial pressures on our AMCA members who faithfully support these programs," shared Lori Maximenko, AMCA Executive Director.

In 2010, the AMCAEF will aggressively address the opportunity to recruit and train new masons for our industry. "A Workforce Development Task Group, made up of industry volunteers has recently been formed, and an aggressive action plan is being implemented to address the demand of a skilled workforce. This will keep our industry viable and competitive," shared Mike.