May 25, 2009
Expo Encourages Students to Consider a Career in Construction! 
Students traded in their textbooks for tools on Tuesday, May 12 at the 2009 Manitoba Construction Career Expo. The first-time event, held at the Red River Exhibition Park was designed to encourage Grade 9 and 10 students to explore their future in skilled trades by participating in a wide variety of interactive construction activities.
Over 800 students, along with supervising teachers, took to the Ex grounds to try their hand at demonstrations in masonry, electrical, carpentry, commercial roofing, shingling, steel stud and drywall, millwork, concrete finishing, plumbing and sheet metal, steel fabricating, welding, and more. Other displays featured the biggest and best in construction equipment and transportation, and the opportunity to interact with skilled journey people and apprentices.
“The students were quite impressed with the fact that everything was hands-on,” Marsha Barter, Guidance Counsellor and Senior Years Apprenticeship Option Contact from Vincent Massey Collegiate says. “It was a very worthwhile event. Many of our students expressed that their interest in the trades increased as a result of attending the expo.”
To make it easy for students and teachers to attend the expo, schools were promised complimentary lunch, reimbursement for bussing and the cost of substitute teachers, as well as eligibility to win fantastic prizes, like DeWalt tools and two Nintendo Wiis.
Upon arriving at the Red River Exhibition Park, groups of students and teachers were given a safety orientation, covering general event rules, emergency procedures and a list of personal protective equipment. Items such as safety eyewear and hearing pr
otection were provided in every registration bag, as well as a token for a free Expo T-shirt, and a lunch voucher, which was redeemable in the Annex.
The Annex building was host to a variety of informational and post-secondary booths, while interactive displays were set up in the main pavilion. Students were taught how to weld in Red River College’s Mobile Training Lab, a 53-foot trailer with pop-out sides that transforms into a 950 square-foot trades training facility for rural and northern communities.
“The welding was my favourite because it was the most hands-on,” explains Kyle Arcand, a Grade 10 student from Dakota Collegiate. “It was just an overall fun day. Everyone really seems to like their job.”
At the Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba station, attendees were encouraged to help build a shed, while the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association were busy building playhouses outside. Across the aisle from Merit, Winnipeg Technical College’s team of electrical apprentices was instructing students on how to wire three-way switches. Students were also invited to take part in steel stud and drywall installation in one of four sectioned rooms with the Manitoba Wall & Ceiling Association, before mixing and finishing concrete with the Manitoba Ready Mix Concrete Association.
“Staff and students here are giving your event two big thumbs up!” says Lorna Derksen, Employability Centre Co-ordinator, R.B. Russell Vocational High School.
View SHAW TV's video report of the 2009 Manitoba Construction Career Expo!
Thank you to the following participating sponsor organizations and associations that helped make the 2009 Manitoba Construction Career Expo a success:
Construction Safety Association of Manitoba
Manitoba Masonry Institute / Manitoba Masonry Contractors Association
Manitoba Mechanical Contractors Association
Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association
Manitoba Wall & Ceiling Association
Manitoba Ready Mix Concrete Association
Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba
Winnipeg Technical College
Manitoba Heavy Construction Association
Manitoba Home Builders’ Association
DeWalt Tools
Concord Projects Ltd.
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Roofing Contractors Association of Manitoba
Bird Construction Company
Manitoba Steel Fabricators Association / Canadian Institute of Steel Construction
Battlefield Equipment Rentals
United Rentals
Manitoba Shingling Contractors Association
Apprenticeship Manitoba
Correction: 2009 WCA Buyers' Guide - Last Page
We hope you’ve received WCA’s 2009 Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide. Please be advised that the very last page of the Buyers’ Guide was not included in the final printed copy of the 2009 Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide. This page includes listings from Windows – Aluminum up until Workplace Safety Consulting.
To rectify this, we have included the missing page below, for you to print off and include beside page 160 in the Buyers’ Guide. We have also included the complete updated Buyers’ Guide. We apologize for this oversight.
NEW! LEED for Sub-Contractors
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Location: Victoria Inn – 1808 Wellington Avenue
Understanding the Paperwork! And Getting it Right!
This BRAND NEW Education Session for WCA members will be presented by local prime contractors with first hand knowledge of LEED projects and experience with problems related to trade and supplier specific responsibilities. If you are a subcontractor or supplier to a LEED project, you need to attend this seminar.
Space is limited so register now!
REGISTRATION - LEED for Sub-Contractors
NEXT EXAM: The next Gold Seal exam is on Friday, October 9, 2009. Application deadline is Friday, September 18, 2009.
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.
Building Commissioning Process Course
Host: Manitoba Hydro Power Smart in partnership with Natural Resources Canada
Date: June 15-17, 2009
Location: Manitoba Hydro Place (360 Portage Ave.)
Instructors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will spend three days covering the details of Building Commissioning for new and existing buildings including how the process ties-in with Power Smart programs and LEED® initiatives.
REGISTRATION Building Commissioning Process Course
2009 Aboriginal Construction Technology Program - Job Placement
The Aboriginal Leadership Institute, Inc. (ALII) is currently contacting employers to gain employment on behalf of their graduating class of 2009 Aboriginal Construction Technology Program. The project has trained 21 Aboriginal participants for careers in the construction trade industry with a 34-week mature student diploma.
“Aboriginal Construction Technology Program”, is designed to provide Aboriginal Youth between the age of 18 to 30 with the training and exposure to all areas of the construction trades industry, i.e. carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, mechanics and other areas. The following are some components of the program:
- CPR certification
- Work Place Hazardous Material Information Systems Certification (WHMIS)
- First Aid Certification
- Building Science seminars in the classroom (teaches the importance of quality workmanship to ensure the integrity of a building)
- Computer training (provides the opportunity for students to stay current with the latest technologies, information and products)
- Carpentry Level 1 – Although this level is Level 1 training, the component covers most of the four levels of Carpentry 1 -4 with the training delivered.
- Hands on training – Welding – Workshop
- Hands on training – Drywall Boarding & Taping – 20 Hours
- Hands on training – Electrical – 20 Hours
- Hands on training – Plumbing – 20 Hours
- Hands on training – Painting – 20 Hours
- The development of curriculum planning and implementation specifically in the areas of group dynamics, personal development, life skills, employment readiness, positive work attitude, punctuality, business ethics, employee conduct, personal financial budgeting, money management and work-site etiquette.
These career-oriented students need to gain employment and are now available. If you have any questions, or would like to have job applications and resumes submitted to your company, please contact the following individuals:
- Barb Moran, Coordinator, Recruitment & Training (B) 204-940-1703 (C) 204-791-0186
- Ben Phillips, Program Instructor (C) 204–782-8857
- Allen Sutherland (C) 204-510-1141 or email at allensutherland@netscape.net.