April 27, 2009
Manitoba Colleges Announce Construction Management Degree
Soon it will be possible to earn a four-year degree in Construction Management from Red River College.
Advanced education and literacy minister Diane McGifford said she was pleased to be able to announce $250,000 which would support the development of the first degree at Red River College, which would directly support Manitoba’s construction sector, pending the passage of the legislation. The proposed legislation would support Red River College’s plans to begin offering a degree in construction management, which would be the first program of its kind available for Manitobans.
Red River College plans to begin by offering the program in 2010 to graduates of diploma and degree programs in an effort to support the skills development of existing construction sector workers. The first students would graduate by 2012.
“The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) is extremely pleased with the announcement of the Construction Management degree program at Red River College. We are confident that this will provide a valuable opportunity and a rewarding career path for new entrants to the construction industry, and an important avenue for existing civil technologists, as well as others in the construction industry today to upgrade their credentials,” said John Schubert, President of WCA.
As part of this initiative, industry has also pledged to raise an endowment fund to support future students in the program. The Winnipeg Construction Association will be contributing to the endowment.
Read New College Degree Program Proposal HERE.
Important Apprenticeship Regulation Changes
Effective January 8, 2009, the Trade of Plumber Regulation has been significantly changed, with the number of apprenticeship years decreasing from five to four, and the apprenticeship wage rates adjusting accordingly. For the complete regulation, as well as other newly added consolidated regulations and amendments, click on the links below.
Trade of Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) - Regulation
Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications - General Regulation - Amendment
Trade of Steamfitter-Pipefitter - Regulation
Trade of Steamfitter-Pipefitter Regulation - Amendment
The following apprenticeship trades and programs have regulation updates. Click on the link for the full regulation update.
Senior Years Apprenticeship Option
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
Online Planroom Service Interruption!
PlanroomServer & PlanSource users: Infinite Source will be performing a system build update on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. PST. PlanroomServer and PlanSource may be unavailable for short periods during this time. Please plan your work accordingly, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Governments Make Major Infrastructure Investments in Inland Port
On April 14, 2009, the governments of Canada and Manitoba committed more than $212 million to build CentrePort Canada Way. This priority infrastructure project will be fast-tracked to support the development of CentrePort Canada, Manitoba’s 20,000-acre inland port.
“These improvements will help ensure further private sector investment in CentrePort Canada by enhancing access to the site, which is already a desirable location for warehousing, distribution and other industrial activity that depends on convenient and efficient access to transportation services including air, road and rail,” Premier Gary Doer said at the announcement.
The funding will develop CentrePort Canada Way, a four-lane divided expressway linking the inland port to the Perimeter Highway. The high-speed corridor will connect Inkster Boulevard (PR 221), the James A. Richardson International Airport and the CP Weston rail intermodal facility to the Perimeter Highway near Saskatchewan Avenue.
CentrePort Canada is a private sector-led corporation, created by provincial legislation last fall, to develop and promote the inland port and build on Manitoba’s well-established infrastructure network of air, rail, trucking and sea routes.
The $212.5-million expressway is being funded jointly by the provincial and federal governments, with the federal share coming from the Provincial Territorial Base Funding Agreement ($68.35 million) and the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative ($33.25 million). Manitoba will match the federal funds and contribute an additional $9.2 million for land acquisition. Read full release HERE.
Apprenticeship Manitoba Gets a Marketing Makeover!
The Department of Competitiveness, Training and Trade is pleased announce the launch of a new marketing campaign for Apprenticeship Manitoba.
The first phase of the marketing campaign provides a fresh new look for Apprenticeship including an identity change from the Apprenticeship Branch to Apprenticeship Manitoba as well as new advertisements via television commercials, radio, transit shelters, billboards, print and web communicating the benefits of being an apprentice. In addition, Apprenticeship has launched a new jump-off site www.apprenticemanitoba.ca which hosts blogs from several apprentices and provide links back to the main Apprenticeship website at www.manitoba.ca/tradecareers. The next phase of the campaign, which we will see in the coming months, will feature targeted promotions at employers and stakeholders.
It is important that we continue to raise the image of Apprenticeship as a post-secondary education training program of equal choice and the skilled trades as a viable career option in Manitoba. Apprenticeship Manitoba’s marketing campaign also supports the recommendations of enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship training system outlined in the 2008 Apprenticeship Futures Commission Report.
WCA Education: Business Owners' Seminars
Asset Protection: Strategies for the Business Owner
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Executive Seminar Series Presenter: Sean Rheubottom, BA, LLB, TEP
Sean Rheubottom, a lawyer for United Financial Corporation, has worked in the field of tax and estate planning since 1997 and specializes in tax planning for business owners.
To register, please contact Kelly Thiessen at kellythiessen@winnipegconstruction.ca.
Construction Blueprint Reading – INTRODUCTION
Two-day course: May 13 – 14, 2009
Registration Deadline: May 4, 2009
Gold Seal Credit: 2 points (WCA)
Unsure where to find information? This course is an overview of commercial construction drawings for buildings, with a focus on architectural and structural content, but including an overview of mechanical and electrical drawings. Also included will be an introduction to the Project Manual (Specifications).
Fee: $370
Project Scheduling With MS Project 2007 (Level 1)
Two-day course: May 20 – 21, 2009
Registration Deadline: May 8, 2009
Gold Seal Credit: 2 Points (WCA)
This course is introductory in nature and is intended for individuals in the design and construction industries. Learn the theory of critical path project scheduling and use Microsoft Project 2007 to schedule projects, assign resources and track project progress. Previous computer experience is essential, preferably with Microsoft Office applications.
Fee: $370
Bank of Canada Senior Loan Officer Survey
The Senior Loan Officer Survey collects information on the business-lending practices of Canadian financial institutions. In particular, the Survey gathers the perspectives of respondents on price and non-price terms of business lending and on topical issues of interest to the Bank of Canada. The survey is conducted quarterly, near the end of the quarter for which the results are reported. Read more.
Bank of Canada Lowers Overnight Rate Target
Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target by 1/4 percentage point to 1/4 per cent and, conditional on the inflation outlook, commits to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010. Read more.
Apprenticeship Completion Grant
Introduced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal endorsement or a provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification in a designated Red Seal trade. Read more.
Canada's Inflation Rate Eases...
Canada’s annual rate of inflation eased to 1.2% in March from 1.4% the previous month, Statistics Canada said Friday. Upward pressure came primarily from food and shelter costs but was mitigated by declines in fuel and homeowner replacement costs. Read more.
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Construction Career Expo: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Plans for the 2009 Manitoba Construction Career are well underway. With over 750 students registered to attend the Expo, VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help make this event a success! Any kind of help you can provide is greatly appreciated. To become an Expo volunteer, or to find out more about how you can help, call Twila at 775-8664 ext. 2242 or e-mail tdriedger@winnipegconstruction.ca.
Both exhibitors and schools are excited about participating in the event, with many associations and companies registered to coordinate interactive trade displays, informational booths, or provide sponsorship support. If you have not yet purchased a booth space or sponsorship at the upcoming Expo, NOW IS THE TIME! Complete the Expo Registration Form found below and fax it in TODAY!
For more information, go HERE, or contact:
Ron Mark
Ready Event Marketing
Phone: (204) 219-4442
Fax: (204) 219-4443
Let’s join forces to show students how profitable, fulfilling and fun a career in construction can be!
Gold Seal Online Training 
Communication, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Objectives: This course is designed to help improve the written, oral and negotiating skills for estimators, superintendents and project managers who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers and their employees. This course is self-paced and is approximately 8 hours in length.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
Construction Project Management
Objectives: This course is designed for project managers, superintendents and estimators. The course covers business case development, procurement, contracting, risk management and project close-out.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
Construction Law
Objectives: This course will provide managers with the tools to help them understand construction contracts, write contracts, identify simple errors in construction contracts, understand the process claim and learn to solve construction disputes effectively. A final mark of 75 per cent is required in order to receive a certificate of completion.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
For more information, visit www.goldsealcertification.com or contact Kelly Thiessen, Gold Seal Administrator, Winnipeg Construction Association, at kellythiessen@winnipegconstruction.ca or 775-8664 x 2225.