Consider applying for a Student Internship Grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). So far, the Foundation has funded 296 grants for a total of $444,000. That's more than three times the number of grants awarded in 2014, but that's also more than three times the number of future professionals who may choose a career path in our industry. MCAA wants to attract the smartest, best-educated young professionals to mechanical contracting, service and plumbing careers and an internship is the best way to accomplish that objective. The student gains valuable experience and learns about the opportunities available and the employer benefits from the student's fresh perspective, positive energy, knowledge of new technologies and much more.

To make way for additional MCAA/MSCA member companies to participate in the 2015 MSCA Benchmark Survey, the deadline has been extended to July 15. Please take the time to complete the survey and provide accurate responses; the results will only be significant if an ample number of companies participate. Only those who take the survey will get a copy of the results, which will be revealed and interpreted during MSCA's Bonus Program on October 18 in Colorado Springs, CO. The survey results will also be made available after the MSCA 2015 Educational Conference for those who took the survey but did not attend the Bonus Program. Interested in participating?

MSCA's Dispatcher Professional Development Training Program will help new and experienced dispatchers to become more effective in their role as your company's primary representative. Service dispatchers are your company's primary representatives with your clients, providing elements of customer service through service scheduling, resource allocation, priority-setting, and customer satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to invest in these members of your team. The program (September 14-15, 2015, St. Louis, MO) will help your dispatchers understand their true role in the company and advance their careers as they significantly enhance their ability to contribute to your company's success. This is the last dispatcher training for the year  and class size is limited. Have registration questions? Contact Sobeida Orantes.

The idea behind the E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation, one of MCAA's most distinguished awards, is to share great innovations so that our industry benefits. Named for an industry leader, the award brings to light unique, problem-solving ideas that can help our industry advance and thrive. Eligible innovations include processes, techniques, systems, procedures or technologies that enable operations and employees to work smoothly and efficiently either in the office or in the field. Publicizing the winning innovation in MCAA and industry publications showcases the idea as a great solution to a problem that other companies may be experiencing. Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis.