Tip 9: Training makes a difference
“… it is pretty generally admitted that few of them were to be trusted within reach of a trowel and a pile of bricks”– PG Wodehouse
IMI and IMTEF train thousands of craftworkers annually in apprenticeship and journeyworker upgrade courses. These programs include certifications in various skills and trades, as well as safety, welding, and many other specialty courses. Some or all of these can be included in project or model specifications to help ensure the best quality installation from craftworkers trained in specific skill sets.
Tip 10: Innovate
Today’s bricklayer is a building enclosure installer who maintains the skills and understanding to successfully place the various control layers managing air, moisture, vapor and thermal control, along with structure and finish, giving a single source solution and higher quality installation to the finished product.
Looking ahead, technological advances in design, manufacturing, and installation will accelerate the changes in how services are delivered to the marketplace.
The masonry industry came together in 2012 to form an initiative called BIM for Masonry, funding development of many tools, software, and training to educate contractors and support the architecture/engineering (A/E) community. For more information, visit www.bimformasonry.org.
The masonry industry is developing mason assists and robotic supports. As early as 1992, IMI worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Mechanically Assisted Masons Aid (MAMA) that assisted a mason in lifting heavy units. Today, we see similar products, and development of exoskeletons that can potentially improve and extend the work life of a masonry craftworker.
Conclusion
In an era of not only rapid change, but also an increase in the rate of evolution, collaboration between all parties in the building process will deliver the best product to the end-user.
David Sovinski is the International Masonry Institute’s (IMI’s) national director of industry development. His experience includes masonry project manager, estimator, and architecture and technology teacher at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Sovinski has a degree in building construction from Purdue University. He can be contacted at dsovinski@imiweb.org.
