Participation in the NCMCA promotes fellowship and facilitates collaboration within the masonry industry, and members can take advantage of continuing education programs at local chapter meetings, conventions and at special Association sponsored workshops and seminars. Although not restricted to members only, the NCMCA also offers the NCMCA Masonry Contractor Certification Program for companies and individuals both, which is quickly becoming the industry recognized standard for quality masonry installation and craftsmanship. [https://www.ncmca.com/join-us/services-benefits]
However, this focus on education and fellowship was not always the case for the NCMCA, and the creation of their new outreach development programs are in response to a great need. In the mid to late twentieth century, the Brick Association of North America (later, The Brick Association of the Carolina’s) assumed responsibility for the education and implementation of vocational masonry training in North (and later South) Carolina high schools. At the turn of the century, the consolidation of the brick industry reduced the need for a statewide or even regional promotional group as locally owned firms were bought out by larger manufacturers.
Consequently, the Brick Association of the Carolina’s was forced to reduce its expenditures and eliminate vocational masonry training programs. The educational void echoed throughout the entire region, and with no of coordinated attempts at improvement, school programs began to show signs of neglect. The 2008 economic downturn further hindered any relief efforts, and financial allocations to vocational masonry training have simply not been feasible for many organizations over the past decade. Thankfully, through NCMCA and their hiring of local industry standout Ryan Shaver, this discouraging trend seems to be on the edge of a drastic turnaround.
Shaver does not hail from generations of thoroughbred mason stock. Rather, his interest began at age 16, when an affable high school instructor lured him into a masonry class with the promise of skipping English on Fridays. His aptitude for brick and block was quickly apparent, and to this day he credits teacher Doug Drye for changing his life in numerous and remarkable ways. As his knowledge and skills expanded, so did his career. After winning several state and national contests, Shaver was hired by a company called McGee Brothers. Mentored by owner Sam McGee, he was empowered to rise through the ranks of the company over the next twelve years, before obtaining his General Contractor’s license and beginning to construct homes.
The 2008 Recession violently interrupted his plans for success and left him searching for answers. At a crossroads, Shaver turned to his high school mentor, who inspired him to give teaching a try. Before he knew it, he found himself back at his old high school, in the very classroom where his own masonry career began years before. As an educator, Shaver strove to get as many young people excited about the trade and get them a place in the industry as best as he possibly could because he knew what an impact masonry has made on his own life. In his six years as an instructor at Mt. Pleasant High School, he had five state and five national champions in various masonry competitions across the country, a very impressive feat. He then went on to work in product promotion, a career move that he credits with uniquely qualifying him for his current role.