Professional Development/Skills Training

February 2, 2012

Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities opens nominations for apprenticeship awards

Nominations are now open for the Minister’s Awards for Apprenticeship Training through Ontario’s Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. The annual awards highlight employers who show leadership in training apprentices and promote careers in the skilled trades.

January 17, 2012

Brook Restoration safety training includes swing stage, hazardous materials

Brook Restoration recently opened its own safety centre. In addition to regular safety training like WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Brook offers training in aspects such as swing stage, boom and elevated work platform, asbestos, lead, Bobcats and confined spaces.

January 13, 2012

$150,000 in federal funds for Helmets to Hardhats

The Canadian arm of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) applauded the federal government’s financial support for the Helmets to Hardhats program, which connects military veterans with training and employment opportunities in the construction industry. TransCanada, which is the only private sector partner in the program, is committing $1 million over the next five years.

January 12, 2012

Efficiency is Ontario trades college goal

Ontario’s current apprenticeship system has failed the province’s youth, says the Ontario College of Trades new chair, Ron Johnson.

January 5, 2012

Ontario College of Trades “sets the record straight.”

In September of this year, I had the privilege of sitting at the table of the newly-appointed Board of Governors for the Ontario College of Trades, and the honour of being voted its Chair.

December 23, 2011

Toronto swing stage tragedy still resonates

The second anniversary of the Dec. 24, 2009 swing stage tragedy that claimed the lives of four construction workers in Toronto triggered occupational health and safety recommendations made by Tony Dean and his advisory panel. One result was the appointment of the province’s first Chief Prevention Officer, George Gritziotis, who appeared with Labour Minister Linda Jeffrey at a news conference in Toronto.

December 22, 2011

New solar certification now available across Canada

A personnel certification program for journeyperson electricians installing and maintaining solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Canada is now open to anybody who wishes to earn it.

December 20, 2011

United Association Local 46 director, immigration lawyer react to skilled labour shortage

The baby boomers are one of the main reasons why the industry is facing a shortage of 100,000 workers in Ontario, according to the Construction Sector Council. The director of Training at United Association Local 46, which represents plumbers, steamfitters and welders, says the perception of the trades is also a contributing factor while immigration lawyer Sergio Karas says the 12-week waiting time for labour market opinions for immigrants wanting jobs is too long.

December 12, 2011

Why governments must focus on leadership training for procurement managers

During my three days spent talking and listening to different segments of the construction industry at “Construct Canada” this month I was energized. The leadership we have in Canada is truly amazing when it comes to expertise related to the construction industry. During my conversations with industry partners they identified several issues we should all be aware of for 2012, including working together with governments in talking a leadership role to improve relationships.

November 14, 2011

Canadian Construction Association discusses training, public-private partnerships

The skilled labour shortage and the disadvantages local companies face in Ontario’s private-public partnerships (P3) model weigh heavily on the minds of industry leaders at the recent Construction Industry Leaders Forum held by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA)

June 26, 2009

Toronto students sticking with CHOICE pre-apprenticeship program

Not many pre-apprenticeship courses can claim as high a retention rate as the CHOICE Pre-apprenticeship Program for Youths at Risk can. In its fifth year, the unique Toronto-based program offers its students a chance to learn carpentry skills on the job at social housing properties operated by Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

June 26, 2009

Conestoga College to get roofing, heating training facilities

Conestoga’s College is busy adding to its Construction Centre of Excellence campus in Waterloo with a roofing training centre set to open its doors this September and an HVAC training facility to follow a year later.