Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council Words: Dawn RogersPhotos: Arizona Masonry CouncilFor generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next.In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industry’s most important priorities, workforce development.Across the construction industry, contractors are facing a growing challenge: finding and training the next generation of skilled professionals. For masonry, a craft rooted in both technical expertise and hands-on experience, the need for strong workforce pipelines is especially critical.Like many industry organizations across the country, the Arizona Masonry Council recognizes that solving workforce challenges requires collaboration between education, industry leaders, and community partners. Expanding Outreach and Meaningful ConnectionsThe Arizona Masonry Council has responded by expanding its focus on education, industry outreach, and real-world engagement. Through partnerships with schools, universities, contractors, and industry leaders, AMC is helping introduce students and young professionals to the opportunities that exist within masonry and the broader construction industry.Rather than relying solely on traditional recruitment methods, the council focuses on creating meaningful connections between students and the professionals actively shaping the built environment. These connections allow emerging talent to see firsthand what a career in masonry can look like, from working on the jobsite to contributing to the design and engineering of durable, sustainable structures.Events, mentorship opportunities, and industry engagement play a key role in these efforts. By creating spaces where students, educators, contractors, and manufacturers can interact, AMC is helping bridge the gap between education and industry.For many students, exposure to the trades is often limited or misunderstood. By highlighting masonry’s blend of craftsmanship, engineering, and long-term career potential, AMC is helping reshape how young people view careers in construction.“Workforce development is really about exposure and opportunity,” says Dawn Rogers, executive director of the Arizona Masonry Council. “When students are able to meet the people behind the industry and see the projects being built in their communities, it changes their perspective. They begin to realize that masonry isn’t just a job, it’s a craft and a career path that can last a lifetime.” Strategic Planning For Long-Term SuccessThe council’s work extends beyond workforce outreach alone. AMC has also been focused on strengthening the long-term direction of the organization itself. Recently, leadership participated in a strategic planning session facilitated by Northern Hospitality (NoHo) – Strategy Division, designed to help align the council’s future initiatives with the evolving needs of the masonry industry and its workforce.The session provided an opportunity for board members and industry partners to step back and evaluate how AMC can continue supporting contractors, educators, and the next generation of skilled professionals.The result is a renewed sense of direction and momentum, one that emphasizes collaboration, education, and long-term sustainability for the masonry industry.Investing In The Future of the TradeWorkforce development is not a short-term initiative. It requires ongoing investment, industry involvement, and a willingness to engage the next generation where they are.Through its growing network of partnerships and its continued commitment to education and outreach, the Arizona Masonry Council is helping ensure that masonry’s legacy of strength, durability, and craftsmanship continues well into the future.In an industry built on foundations meant to last generations, AMC is doing the same, building the human foundation that will carry masonry forward.___Author BioDawn Rogers is the Executive Director of the Arizona Masonry Council, where she leads industry advocacy, workforce development, and education initiatives that support the continued growth of masonry across Arizona’s construction community.About: Industry News
