MCAA National Update for March 30, 2015

This Week

Are You on the "Bleeding Edge?" Find Out at MCAA's Construction Technology Conference

Learn a Thing or Two from an Intern

NAECA Deadline Concerning Water Heaters is April 16...Are You Prepared?

Time is Almost Up for Submission of 2014 Safety Data

Enhance Your Skills as "The TEAM Leader"

Build a Stronger Team with MSCA's Service Supervisors Training

You're Not Too Late to Register for the National Issues Conference

Mac Lynch Contributes to MCERF

Cultivate Sales Skills of Entry-Level Employees with MSCA Sales Basecamp

Are You on the "Bleeding Edge?" Find Out at MCAA's Construction Technology Conference

The MCAA Technology Conference Will Help You Thrive in a High-Tech World

Mechanical contractors are at the leading edge of incorporating advanced technologies into their business. Virtual design and construction is becoming a standard practice among those in the building industry, and contractors are embracing the benefits of collaboration, virtual coordination, model-driven fabrication and modularization. And, it won't be long before large, technologically sophisticated multi-trade contractors with design-build and post-construction servicing capabilities become the central hub of the project lifecycle process. At MCAA's Construction Technology Conference (June 8-9, Chicago, IL), industry consultant Paul Doherty of the Digit Group will explain how forward-thinking mechanical contractors have positioned themselves at the "bleeding edge," the "innovation adaptive life cycle," and where technology is leading the industry. To find out more and register, go to www.mcaa.org/education/mcaa/technology. Don't delay because seating for this valuable conference is limited.

Learn a Thing or Two from an Intern

College students who are majoring in engineering, construction management, architectural engineering or similar disciplines are up to date on the latest communications and data processing technologies; it's essential for their coursework and connectivity. As your intern, he/she could apply these technologies to your business and give it an edge in a crowded, competitive market. And, you could help a young person choose a career path with our industry by giving him/her meaningful work in different areas of your business. Best of all, you may qualify for a $1,500 Student Internship Grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). So far this year, MCERF has paid out $228,000 in Student Internship Grants to MCAA contractors. If you haven't yet hired an intern, then check out the postings on our new website - MCAAGreatFutures.org. Over 200 students are listed and searching for an internship or a full-time position. Their profiles and resumes tell their story and plans for the future, but find out more by contacting them directly. Once you've hired an intern, go to www.mcerf.org/internships for information about the grants and a convenient online application form. Contact Ann Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org with questions.

NAECA Deadline Concerning Water Heaters is April 16...Are You Prepared?

Ready for the NAECA Deadline Concerning Water Heaters

Significant changes to water heater energy factor (EF) requirements will take effect on April 16, 2015, resulting from updates to the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA). These new requirements call for higher energy factor (EF) ratings on virtually all residential gas, electric, oil, and tankless gas water heaters, completely altering the water heater landscape. NAECA also affects some light-duty commercial water heaters. To achieve higher efficiencies, manufacturers will either need to increase the diameter of the products to allow for more insulation or decrease the capacity. While these changes will have a small impact on single family homes, the effects will be more significant on condominiums and multi-family residencies where space is much tighter. Expect some manufacturers to decrease water heater capacities up to 10% to maintain their same footprint. For more information about NAECA requirements and recommendations for contractors, please read PCA's white paper at www.mcaa.org/pca/NAECA_Whitepaper2.pdf. Questions? Please contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org.

Time is Almost Up for Submission of 2014 Safety Data

If you've been meaning to send in your company's 2014 safety information to MCAA, the deadline - March 31 - is almost here. Once we receive your data, we'll send you a safety benchmarking report which allows you to confidentially compare your company's incidence rates with the aggregates of others in your size category and with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for the mechanical industry. And, if your company qualifies, you'll receive an MCAA Safety Certificate of Commendation in recognition of your company's commitment to safe work practices. To qualify, your company must have achieved a Lost Workday Cases Incidence Rate of zero or one that is 25% or more below the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average for mechanical construction in 2014. Please visit www.mcaa.org/safetycommendation and complete a short, simple form using your company's 2014 OSHA 300A form as a guide. The certificates will be delivered during April 2015.

Enhance Your Skills as "The TEAM Leader"

Register for the Next MSCA The TEAM Thing Webinar

Most people are not natural-born leaders, so this skillset must be practiced and refined continually. On April 1 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, acclaimed MSCA presenter Steve Thomas will teach you how to be a "follow-able" leader. During this webinar, he will discuss the four characteristics that others look for when deciding if they will follow someone's leadership. Practical applications will also be introduced to ensure that you are the one that your team trusts to lead. This online event is free to all MCAA/MSCA members as a benefit. Visit https://msca.webex.com to register (or click here to register via mobile device). The next webinar in this six-part series will be on June 3. Tentative dates for the remaining webinars are September 2, November 4, and December 6. For more information, contact Barbara Dolim (bdolim@mcaa.org). The first webinar in the series, "Rethink the TEAM Thing," is available for viewing at www.msca.org along with PowerPoint slides and a handout.

Learn to Lead at the ALI and Enhance those Skills at the New ALI-G

If you're a graduate of MCAA's Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) and you want to acquire more leadership skills education at a higher level, then register now to attend the ALI-Graduates program. Space is almost filled and we may soon have to start a wait-list. MCAA's ALI Committee created the program in response to ALI graduates' calls for an advanced version of the original. The committee developed the ALI-G curriculum in consultation with the academic leaders of Babson Executive Education, and the faculty members were hand-picked for the program. Attendance will be strictly limited to 30 ALI alumni. Attendees are accepted on a first-come/first-served basis. ALI-G takes place June 17-20 at the Babson Executive Education Center in Wellesley, MA. Please contact Dennis Langley at dlangley@mcaa.org for a flier, curriculum schedule and registration form. And, if you have not attended the ALI, MCAA's foremost educational and leadership program, and are planning to apply, only a few spots remain for Course 15 as well. ALI 15 will take place September 27-October 1 and November 8-13 at the Babson College Executive Education Center. To obtain an application for Course 15, contact Dennis Langley at the link noted above.

Build a Stronger Team with MSCA's Service Supervisors Training

Service supervisors are essential to your company's success, and MSCA training can help accelerate their performance. The two-day Growing and Developing Service Supervisors seminar will help attendees understand how to coach, mentor, manage, and motivate technicians. In addition to the skills they will learn during the seminar, each participant will receive a manual with more than 100 forms and worksheets that will help with day-to-day responsibilities in the office and field. The program will be held April 23-25 at MILWAUKEE TOOL headquarters in Brookfield, WI. Only a few seats remain, so register today at www.mcaa.org/education/msca/superservice. Contact Sobeida Orantes (saorantes@mcaa.org) with registration questions.

You're Not Too Late to Register for the National Issues Conference

Your participation in the MCAA/Quality Construction Alliance National Issues Legislative Conference in Washington, DC (April 28-29 at the W Hotel) can help the union-signatory sector of the highly-skilled specialty construction industry lead the legislative agenda with the new Congress. Pension reform "Phase 2" will lead the agenda, along with procurement issues (prime and subcontractor selection criteria), energy efficiency issues (tax incentives for energy efficient buildings and industrial facilities) and workforce standards issues (worker misclassification and prevailing wage standards). On Tuesday, the program, which takes place at the Newseum, begins with breakfast followed by issue sessions moderated by former Senator Norm Coleman, Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL). And, Dr. David Weil, administrator of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, will also be on hand to discuss issues and recent regulatory developments. Members will have the afternoon to meet with their Senators; appointments will be made prior to the conference. On Wednesday, breakfast at the hotel will be followed by MCAA member visits to their Representatives. For more information and to register, go to www.mcaa.org/education/mcaa/legislative/leg_bro.pdf.

Mac Lynch Contributes to MCERF

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) has received a $2,500 contribution from 2012 MCAA President William J. "Mac" Lynch, raising his total contributions to $12,200. In addition, Mac designated $1,000 for MCERF Scholarships. The Foundation's Board of Trustees is very grateful for the contribution which will help sustain MCERF education and research programs. Find out more about the Foundation and how you can help it grow by visiting www.mcerf.org.

Cultivate Sales Skills of Entry-Level Employees with MSCA Sales Basecamp

Advance Entry-Level Employees' Skills at Sales Basecamp

MSCA Sales Basecamp will set up your entry-level service employees for success by preparing those who are new to service sales and/or the HVACR and plumbing industry to confidently sell services while creating added value for the customer. This two-day course is scheduled for May 4-5 in Baltimore, MD, with topics to include understanding the MSCA Sales Cycle, building trust with potential customers, effectively linking features with needs, and handling objections professionally during the proposal presentation. Register today at www.msca.org/salesinstitute/basecamp. Contact Barbara Dolim (bdolim@mcaa.org) with any questions about the program.

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Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, Phone: 301-869-5800; Fax: 301-990-9690