Workforce availability and craft training remain key considerations for mechanical contractors pursuing large and technically complex projects. MCAA President Curtis Harbour addressed those issues during the United Association’s 41st General Convention, held Aug. 17-21 in San Diego.
Harbour spoke during a general session on Aug. 18, focusing on cooperation between MCAA contractors and the United Association, which represents workers across the piping trades.
The convention attracted 4,034 delegates and included participation from UA leadership, building trades representatives and other industry figures. Delegates also reelected Mark McManus to a third term as UA general president.
Harbour identified leadership development, safety, mental health and workforce recruitment as areas where MCAA and UA continue to coordinate efforts.
Training was a major focus of the convention. The UA reported that it invests approximately $250 million annually in private funds for training and has nearly 70,000 apprentices preparing for careers in the piping trades.
The organization also reported membership exceeding 400,000, its highest level in its history.
For mechanical contractors, apprenticeship capacity provides an important pipeline for developing workers capable of supporting commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Training programs also become increasingly relevant as project requirements expand across specialized construction sectors.
The convention addressed opportunities emerging across several construction segments, including advanced manufacturing, semiconductor facilities, energy projects, health care construction and hyperscale data centers.
These project types can require specialized mechanical and piping capabilities, increasing the importance of coordinated workforce development between contractors and labor organizations.
Mental health was also included among the convention’s workforce priorities, reflecting broader attention to worker well-being alongside traditional jobsite safety programs.
The MCAA-UA partnership has direct implications for mechanical contractors managing skilled-labor requirements on complex projects. Continued investment in apprenticeships, training, recruitment and worker support can strengthen the labor pipeline available to union contractors as demand grows across technically intensive construction markets.
The convention also underscored the importance of maintaining coordination between labor and management as contractors adapt to new technologies while continuing to rely on skilled craft expertise.
Source: MCAA.
