MACC-Tech: Attracting the next generation to aggregates

Junior and senior high school students often eye careers in high-tech industries. How can they be convinced that digital innovation performs an important role in the mining of aggregates?

The industry’s MACC-Tech initiative offers one promising answer. The program’s acronym stands for Mining, Asphalt, Concrete and Construction Technology. Developed by the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) in conjunction with other industry organizations, MACC-Tech provides future-minded students with a two-year curriculum on the exciting technical innovations in all aspects of aggregate production.

While the program aims to attract youngsters to the industry, what’s good for the job candidate is good for the employer.

“Students will learn enough about the industry to be valuable from day one,” says Pat Jacomet, executive director of OAIMA. “This will help our members by reducing the time they spend getting new hires up to speed on elemental information.”

While limited right now to Ohio, MACC-Tech has national ambitions.

“Our goal is to have 80 percent of the content applicable throughout the United States, and 20 percent state-specific,” says Jackie Alf, executive vice president at Melvin Stone.

Alf adds that MACC-Tech’s success depends on employers encouraging their local high schools to take on the program.

Featured Photo: iStock/1715d1db_3