Backend Category: Career Development Initiative

Inside MCAA – The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting- Ep. 11 Building Careers, Connections, and the Future of Mechanical Contracting

Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.

Monthly we will explore how MCAA supports its members with cutting-edge insights and industry updates, helping navigate the dynamic landscape of mechanical contracting. From legislative advocacy to fostering trusted partnerships, Inside MCAA offers a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives driving innovation and growth in the field.

Inside MCAA – The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting- Ep. 11 Building Careers, Connections, and the Future of Mechanical Contracting

In this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro welcomes Andrew Palcan, Project Manager at Helm Group and Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee, and Michele Hoffman, MCAA’s Director of Career Development. Together, they dive into the dynamic programs and powerful connections shaping the next generation of mechanical contracting professionals.

Andrew shares his early journey as a student chapter competition team member at Milwaukee School of Engineering to a career-launching handshake at the annual MCAA convention. Michele reflects on how her passion of working with student chapters led to a national role influencing thousands of rising professionals.

Throughout the conversation, Andrew and Michele highlight the pivotal role of the Career Development Committee in:

Connecting students with contractors through hands-on events, competitions, and unconventional job fairs
Offering unique programs like the “Marco Polo” networking icebreaker and themed industry tours
Breaking down industry barriers for students of all backgrounds by showcasing the many paths within mechanical
Promoting peer-to-peer networks that extend far beyond graduation and help form a lifelong professional community

They also preview the upcoming 2025 MCAA Great Futures Forum in Salt Lake City, which features complimentary registration, contractor/student job matchmaking, Olympian speakers, and an immersive mechanical site tour.

The episode wraps up with heartfelt encouragement to students: get involved, take chances, and talk to people—you never know where one conversation might lead.

Follow Inside MCAA on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

2027 MCAA GreatFutures Forum

During the annual GreatFutures Forum, students from nearly 50 student chapters and MCAA member companies are invited to gather for three days of student-focused education sessions that highlight the mechanical contracting industry, fun peer-to-peer relationship building and most importantly, a chance to network during the Friday morning job fair. Don’t miss your chance to meet your next great hire!

MCAA 2024 GreatFutures Forum

MCAA’s Career Development Initiative helps MCAA members connect with students for internships or full-time employment. During the annual GreatFutures Forum, students from 40 student chapters and MCAA member companies are invited to gather for three days of student-focused education sessions that highlight the mechanical contracting industry, fun peer-to-peer relationship building and most importantly, a chance to network during the Friday morning job fair. Don’t miss your chance to meet your next great hire!

Registration is open from 12:30 PM – 2:15 PM on Thursday, September 26^th and then promptly at 2:30 PM the Welcome Session will begin. The conference will conclude by 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 28^th.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) is approximately 14 miles from the hotel, or roughly 20 minutes without traffic by car.

Program Highlights

Thursday

Alumni Breakfast
Welcome & Presidential Message from Rick Gopffarth
Moving the Needle Panel
Mastering the Swing of Etiquette
TopGolf – Offsite Activity and Dinner

Friday

Job Fair Breakfast
Innovation – An Intertwined Future Keynote – Tanmay Bakshi
Competition Skills: Takeoff Basics
24-25 Competition Introduction
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Tour
Seattle Aquarium – Offsite Dinner

Saturday

The Mechanical Puzzle
Building Your Chapter Roundtables
Trivia Answers & Prizes
Wrap-Up

New MCAA Student Chapter – Riverside City College

MCAA welcomed its newest student chapter by granting a charter to Riverside City College during the MSCA23 Opening General Session on October 23^rd on Marco Island, Florida.

Sponsoring Local Affiliate: ARCA/MCA
• Cheryl James, Executive Director

Faculty Advisor:
Kfir Mendelovitz

Snap a Picture of Your Interns Before They Head Back to School & Submit a Grant Request for up to $2,000

Interns working at MCAA member companies are a win-win for our industry. Employers secure top talent and build a pipeline of future employees and students gain hands on experience, create connections and develop the skills needed to further their interest in mechanical contracting. Snap a picture of your summer intern by a company sign, on the jobsite or in company apparel and upload it with your Internship Grant Application. Interns and sponsoring companies will be featured on the virtual Intern Wall at MCAA24 before the Awards of Excellence Breakfast.

Internship Grant Eligibility

The MCAA company must first ensure the prospective intern is in good standing with an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from MCAA student chapters, this is not a requirement for a grant.

Part 1

Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with 2+ interns may receive a $2,000 grant.
Submit an application for each intern. If you have 15 interns, submit an application for all 15 of them since interns must be listed on a Part 1 application to be eligible for a Part 2 gift card upon graduation. (Maximum per company is still $2,000 no matter how many interns are submitted beyond 2.)
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Part 1.

Part 1 Application

Part 2

For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 list from an MCAA member company.

Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after the new hire’s full-time start date.

Part 2 Application

Have Questions?

Please contact MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman.

Easily Find New Talent with a Quick Post on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board

MCAA members can quickly post an entry-level, full-time job or internship to a network of close to 50 student chapters as a benefit of membership. These student members are enrolled in programs such as construction management, mechanical engineering, construction engineering, architectural engineering, HVAC, and other similar courses of study that are designed to prepare them for careers in the mechanical contracting industry.

Many of these students are looking to explore the world outside of their own backyard and need assistance with connecting to internship and full-time employment opportunities. Post your job on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board today to easily start the process of finding your next great hire!

How it works:

Login with an MCAA username and password
Click on the job board within the Career Development page
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process

VIEW JOB BOARD

Hired an Intern? Submit an Internship Grant Request

MCAA wants to hear about all of your mechanical contracting interns and has revised the internship grant application process to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.

Part 1: MCAA members with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. One form should be filled out for each intern (even beyond two).

Part 1 applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis and may be submitted once per calendar year, per intern.

Internship Grant Form – Part 1

Part 2: For companies successfully converting an intern (from their part 1 list) to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. These new hire conversions are now unlimited, but the name of the new hire must be included on a part 1 list from an MCAA member company to be eligible.

Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after their full-time start date.

Internship Grant Form – Part 2

New Internship Grant Process for 2023

MCAA wants to hear about all of your mechanical contracting interns and has revised the internship grant application process to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.

Part 1: MCAA members with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. One form should be filled out for each intern.

Part 2: For companies successfully converting an intern (from their part 1 list) to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. These new hire conversations are now unlimited, but the name of the new hire must be included on a part 1 list from an MCAA member company to be eligible.

Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis and may be submitted once per calendar year, per intern.

INTERNSHIP GRANT FORM – PART 1

INTERNSHIP TO NEW HIRE FORM – PART 2

Congratulations to the 88 MCAA member companies that were awarded 2022 Internship Grants!

Having MCAA interns working at member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline of future employees. Students gain experience create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting.

2022 Internship Grant Recipients

1901 Mechanical & Plumbing
AMS Mechanical Systems, Inc.
ARC Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC
Arista Air Conditioning Corporation
Associated Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc.
Auburn Mechanical, Inc.
August Winter & Sons, Inc.
Autumn Construction Services, Inc.
Baker Group
Bassett Mechanical
Batchelor & Kimball, Inc.
B.G. Brecke, Inc.
Boland Trane Services, Inc.
BPI Mechanical Service, Inc.
Brewer-Garrett Company
Broadway Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
C & R Mechanical Company
CFI Mechanical, Inc.
Corporate Mechanical of New England, LLC
CT Mechanical
D V Brown & Associates, Inc.
D.V. Brown & Associates, Inc.
DiGesare Mechanical, Inc.
EMCOR Services Fagan
EMCOR Services Mesa Engergy Systems, Inc.
EMCOR Services Northeast, Inc. CommAir/BALCO
FE Moran, Inc.
Gartner Refrigeration
Gilbert Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Greiner Brothers, Inc.
Harrell-Fish, Inc.
HL Moe Company, Inc.
Holmberg Mechanical
HT Lyons, Inc.
Hurst Mechanical
John E. Green Company
John W. Danforth Company
Landry Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Limbach Company LLC
M & M Welding & Fabricators, Inc.
M.J. Daly LLC
Martin Petersen Company, Inc.
Maxair, Inc.
McCauley Mechanical Construction, Inc.
MMC Contractors
Modern Controls, Inc.
Modern Piping, Inc.
New England Sheet Metal and Mechanical Co.
North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
NV Heathorn, Inc.
Oahu Plumbing & Sheet Metal, Ltd.
P1 Group, Inc.
Peck, Hannaford & Briggs Company
PJ Dionne Company, Inc.
PM Contracting, Inc.
Poole and Kent Corporation
Premier Mechanical, Inc.
Pribuss Engineering, Inc.
Progressive Mechanical, Inc.
Quackenbush Co. Inc.
Ray Martin Company of Omaha
Roberts Environmental Control Corporation
Ryan & Associates, Inc.
Scobell Company, Inc.
Shambaugh & Son
Shank Constructors, Inc.
Smith-Boughan, Inc.
Southland Industries
Speer Mechanical
Springfield Engineering Company
Strategic Mechanical, Inc.
Streimer Sheet Metal Works
The Hill Group
The Waldinger Corporation
The Waldinger Corporation – Omaha
Thomas J. Dyer Company
Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc.
U S Engineering Company – Colorado
University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors
University Mechanical Contractors
Way Engineering
Weitz Industrial, LLC
Westside Mechanical, Inc.
William T. Spaeder Company, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.

Be on the lookout for the new Intern Wall to highlight the 2022 Internship Grant recipients at MCAA23 in Phoenix!

Semester Break Creates Employment Golden Opportunity on MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board

College students across the country are finishing up finals and heading home for winter break. Following a few days of post-finals rest, their #1 priority will be to secure a summer internship or full-time position. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to put your company in the spotlight during the golden weeks between semesters! Post your entry level, full-time job or internship today and ring in the new year to successfully growing your workforce.

How it works:

Login with an MCAA username and password
Click on the job board within the Career Development page
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process

VIEW JOB BOARD

MCAA’s Job Board Delivers Results

A student from Ball State University was recently hired by U.S. Engineering after using the new GreatFutures job board to find a summer internship. Congratulations to Reece Manning and U.S. Engineering! Read the article.

There’s Still Time to Apply for an Internship Grant!

If you already employed an intern in 2022, remember to submit an application for an Internship Grant. MCAA members may submit up to two applications per year for a $1,000 grant (to your company) and an accompanying $500 gift card (to the intern).

APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP GRANT

MCAA’s Michele Hoffman Receives NAWIC Education Foundation’s Carol A. Kueker Construction Education Visionary Award

MCAA congratulates our very own Michele Hoffman on her selection as the recipient of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Education Foundation’s Carol A. Kueker Construction Education Visionary Award. The annual award recognizes an individual who has worked aggressively to promote construction as a viable career path, and Michele certainly fits the bill. MCAA CEO Tim Brink said, “Michele’s accomplishments are the result of years of hard work and dedication. I’m proud to have her as a member of the MCAA team.”

Since becoming MCAA’s Director, Career Development in January 2022, Michele developed the student programming for the MCAA Annual Convention in March. She is currently putting the final touches on the GreatFutures Forum, which will take place September 29 – October 1 in Boston. This student-focused conference will include a reimagined non-traditional job fair that removes company booths and will focus on finding internship and full-time employment matches in a relaxed environment. During the last seven months, Michele says her primary focus has been to “connect the dots” from student to contractor, student to local affiliated association, student to MCAA, and most recently peer-to-peer after graduation through the new MCAA GreatFutures Alumni group.

Before joining MCAA, Michele spent 13 years at MCA-Omaha, where she served as the Industry Advisor for the University of Nebraska Student Chapter, which was named MCAA Student Chapter of the Year in 2015, 2019, and 2020. She also worked with their local board and committees, as well as in event management and communications roles. Appropriately enough, it was Karli Meisinger, one of Michele’s former MCA-Omaha Members and one of the Founding Four contractors involved with the rebranding of the Nebraska student chapter, who nominated her for the NAWIC award.

Michele, who has been a member of MCAA’s Career Development Committee since 2018, received the award during an August 19, 2022, gala on the final day of the NAWIC Annual Conference in Minneapolis. “I’m unbelievably honored to receive this award, an award that’s rooted in celebrating passion for education in construction and from an organization as outstanding as NAWIC,” she said.

So, what happened to Michele’s role at MCA-Omaha? Naturally, it was filled by University of Nebraska Student Chapter alumna, Ali Brown. Now that’s taking career development full circle!

MCAA 2023 GreatFutures Forum

MCAA’s Career Development Initiative helps MCAA members connect with students for internships or full-time employment. During the annual GreatFutures Forum, students from nearly 50 student chapters and MCAA member companies are invited to gather for three days of student-focused education sessions that highlight the mechanical contracting industry, fun peer-to-peer relationship building and most importantly, a chance to network during the Friday morning job fair. Don’t miss your chance to meet your next great hire!

Registration is open from 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 28 and then promptly at 2:30 p.m. the Welcome Session will begin. Likewise, chapters should remain until 11:00 a.m. when the conference concludes on Saturday, September 30.

Please note that one of our special speakers (MCAA President, Robert Beck) will be on Saturday morning.

The Milwaukee Airport (MKE) is approximately 10 miles from the hotel, or roughly 15 minutes without traffic.

Michele Hoffman Will Join the MCAA Staff

MCAA extends a warm welcome to Michele Hoffman, who will be joining the staff starting January 1, 2022. She will be MCAA’s new Director, Career Development as Megan Walsh moves back to full time responsibilities in the Events Department. Michele comes to us from MCA-Omaha, where she spent 13 years working with their local board and committees, and in event management and communications roles. During that time, she served as the Industry Advisor for the University of Nebraska Student Chapter, which was named MCAA Student Chapter of the Year in 2015, 2019, and 2020. She has been a member of MCAA’s Career Development Committee since 2018. Michele is originally from central Illinois, a graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (Advertising Major), and currently resides in Omaha. MCAA is pleased to welcome Michele to the staff, and her husband Eric and their two children to the MCAA staff family.

More than 60 of Our Industry’s Best Contractors and Thought Leaders Will Present at the 2022 MEP Innovation Conference

MCAA has developed the most in-depth conference on construction technology and innovation to date. MCAA first launched the Technology Conference for MCAA members back in 2016 as a way to share knowledge and spark ideas and innovation through collaboration, demonstration and peer-to-peer instruction. The event has continued to grow year after year. In 2021, the conference was renamed and pushed further with the inclusion of NECA and SMACNA contractors providing a broader depth of experience. This year, MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have announced a joint partnership, bringing over 60 of the most innovative contractors to present January 24-26 at the 2022 MEP Innovation Conference, powered by Trimble.

Sessions at this year’s conference will be led by the country’s leading mechanical, plumbing, electrical, sheet metal and service contractors. The MEP Conference will provide a comprehensive view of the solutions digitizing our processes, using VDC software, fabricating all trades, coordinating projects with new software and using new tools to improve productivity. Sessions will be geared toward Operations Managers, VDC teams, Project Managers and Fabrication Managers.

Conference registration will be limited due to COVID restrictions. Registration will be open to MCAA/MSCA, NECA and SMACNA members as well as their union affiliated partners. For more information, visit the MEP Innovation Conference Website and register today!

REGISTER NOW

MCAA22 Reunite: We’re Going to Party Like It’s 1989

Reunite with your MCAA family and dance the night away with the Spazmatics! Come enjoy all the awesome sounds, styles and way cool dance steps from the 1980’s decade we’d love to forget, but are happy to remember. Complete with skinny ties, fashionable hairstyles, and horn-rimmed glasses, the Spazmatics recapture the best of the worst. Outstanding musicianship combined with creative flair and style makes for an evening of pure energy and entertainment. Don’t miss the Spazmatics at MCAA22’s Opening Party on Sunday, March 17th.

Registration is now open. Save your spot today!

LEARN MORE

MCAA’s 2021-2022 Student Chapter Competition is Underway!

The project was released this afternoon to the student chapters participating in MCAA’s 2021-2022 Student Chapter Competition. The project this year, provided by Mollenberg-Betz, Inc. in Buffalo, NY, will require students to work through a lot of logistical challenges as they contribute to a Lake Placid Olympic Center Revitalization job.

Once again this competition will be run through MCAA’s member company, Procore. Additionally, for the second year in a row, MCAA’s Career Development Committee partnered with Trimble, one of MCAA’s Manufacturer and Supplier Member Companies, offering students the use of Trimble’s new estimating software, Trimble Estimation MEP, for the Student Chapter Competition.

Trimble Estimation MEP is an easy-to-use, web-based estimating software that combines document storage, graphical takeoff, Trade Service material pricing and MCAA labor into one solution. Trimble Estimation MEP is straightforward and intuitive as it walks users through the process of creating an estimate step-by-step, making it the perfect tool for the students to use. While using Trimble Estimation MEP is not a requirement for the project, Trimble has generously made the software available to all MCAA student chapters for free.

MCAA would like to thank all partnering member companies for their support in this year’s competition. If your student chapter would like access to the project in Procore or access to Trimble Estimation MEP, please email Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org.