MCAA Strategic Partners
Tuesday, February 2, 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
The International Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. This exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.
Contestants are divided by experience level, 'First Years' who are just entering the trade through 'Third Years' who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how. The catch? The projects are a complete surprise! Contestants must build their project without ever having seen the drawings. They haven't been able to practice, and they are not allowed to consult their instructor, employer or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials.
Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level. Come and see who wins top honors this year!
Thursday, February 4, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Gold Lot, front of North Hall
The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the MCAA, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry's best are invited to compete.
The competition will pit 20 journeyman masons, accompanied by their two favorite tenders, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of an 18-blocklong wall as possible, using 8"x8"x16" CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.
The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce.
This contest also rewards and highlights the country's best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.
Photos by Jenkins Custom Photography, Ltd.
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