President's Message - Aug '23

Ahh August! The month when you realize the year is more than half over and you still have a million things on your to-do list. So guess what, I am about to add one more thing!

For the last few months we have been talking a lot about the new Metal Building curriculum we are developing with NCCER. We speak about why it is so important to our industry and that we need to raise a million dollars. That is all true. Click here for a slick sell sheet capturing those very points. But what we have not been speaking about enough is you.

To be developed properly, we need subject matter experts (SME) to share their expertise, their insider knowledge, their ways of working. We don’t need you to be a computer expert or a word-smith (we've got people for that); all we need is your brain – oh and your time, probably 1-2 hours per month. But it will be worth it. Not exactly fame and fortune but companies that supply a member of staff to committee work will be recognized on both the MBCEA and MBI websites.

So what will the SME actually do? Working as a team, the SME's will agree what skills need to be taught for each course (e.g. Framing, Exposed Wall Fastener Wall Sheeting, etc.) They will ensure the key facts and details are complete and correct. They will agree common best practice that should be taught. We get that there are a couple of different ways to do the same thing. That is why we need a diverse committee to discuss/brainstorm and agree the preferred way or most common way.

The goal of the program is to effectively train tomorrow’s worker in the craft of metal building assembly – we need you to tell us what they need to know.

Jackie, Sasha, and perhaps a few others will keep the various project teams on track and capture your ideas. NCCER will turn whatever you produce into a cool online Learning System. But without you, we have nothing!

 

Quite a few members have already very generously stepped up and volunteered. Perhaps, a few more will today – hint – there is a sign-up sheet in the newsletter sent August 15! Over the next few weeks, Jackie will be reaching out to you regarding your availability. Please answer her call (or email). By summers end, we should have the first 4 chapters turned over to NCCER. After Labor Day, we hope to begin work on the next group.

Switching topics, please join me in congratulating Sasha and Tom, who were married on Saturday August 5^th.  

Jen Heimburger

President, MBCEA

President, Heimburger Construction, Inc.