Canada Poised to Export Wood Building Knowledge

The Government of Quebec has launched a guide to build wood buildings up to 12 storeys. The guide, titled Construction of Mass Timber Buildings Up to 12 Storeys, outlines the technical principles required to design and construct wooden buildings up to 12 storeys using mass timber. Read more

Application Deadline Next Week for Gold Seal Exam


Showcase your potential! September 4th is the application deadline for the Oct. 16 exam. Learn more

BIM: The Bigger Picture

While most knows BIM stands for “Building Information Modelling,” it’s become abundantly clear that BIM means many things to many people. Read more

Why the Construction Industry Lacks Millennials

While the time of the Baby Boomers in the construction industry is coming to a close, there is still a severe shortage which is not being filled quickly enough by the Millennial generation. Read more

CAWIC Panel Aims to Address Gender Roadblocks

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is hosting a panel event delving into how gender bias manifests itself in the industry with four notable women leading the discussion, providing insight and potential strategies to help overcome it. Read more

Why the Construction Industry Lacks Millennials
While the time of the Baby Boomers in the construction industry is coming to a close, there is still a severe shortage which is not being filled quickly enough by the Millennial generation. Read more

BIM: The Bigger Picture
While most knows BIM stands for “Building Information Modelling,” it’s become abundantly clear that BIM means many things to many people. Read more

Application Deadline Next Week for Gold Seal Exam
Showcase your potential! September 4th is the application deadline for the Oct. 16 exam. Learn more

Canada Poised to Export Wood Building Knowledge
The Government of Quebec has launched a guide to build wood buildings up to 12 storeys. The guide, titled Construction of Mass Timber Buildings Up to 12 Storeys, outlines the technical principles required to design and construct wooden buildings up to 12 storeys using mass timber. Read more

Technology That May Help Potholes Get Fixed Faster
Christoph Mertz, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, has mounted a small camera on his windshield. Combined with the computer program he’s built, he shoots video of the pavement unspooling in front of him as he drives. Read more

StatsCan Addresses Recession
Statistics Canada is reporting that GDP fell in the second quarter, confirming fears that the economy was in recession for the first half of 2015. StatsCan says the economy contracted at an annual pace of 0.5% in the second quarter of the year which is slightly less than analyst estimates and also lower than the 0.8% decline in Q1. Read more

Make Infrastructure Cash for Cities an Election Issue: Tuckey

We need more federal funding for necessary infrastructure such as the pipes that bring clean water to our taps, the roads and transit we take to work and the bridges that connect our communities. It might not appear to be the most pressing of issues, but it is and here’s why: Infrastructure is critical to our economic prosperity, we all benefit from it and we all have the responsibility to help pay for it. Read more

Pan Atlantic Export Roadshow for Building Products

Seeking Exporters and Potential Exporters of Building Products in Atlantic Canada
If you do not fall into this sector and know someone that should receive this information, please let us know.
 
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) is planning a Pan Atlantic Export Roadshow for Building Products throughout Atlantic Canada in early fall.  All CME divisions in Atlantic Canada will be involved in this project, which is being supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and all four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada.
 
To help CMA plan the location and content of the Roadshow sessions, they are seeking to identify companies in the Building Products sector in Atlantic Canada who are existing exporters or wish to export and would be interested in attending these sessions.  
 
The objective of the Roadshow is to identify companies from the Building Products sector in Atlantic Canada who are exporting outside Canada or wish to export outside Canada, to provide training and information about exporting and potential export markets, and determine the types of support exporters and potential exporters wish to receive going forward.  The project will consist of a series of all-day information/consultation sessions held throughout the Atlantic Provinces tailored to the participants in each session depending on their level of experience with exporting.  The report from this project will be used to develop future initiatives whether on a Pan Atlantic, provincial or regional basis to support exporters or potential exporters of Building Products.  Ultimately the aim is to increase the number of exporters and the level of exports of Building Products from Atlantic Canada. 
 
For purposes of this project, Building Products includes any products or components used to construct buildings whether residential or commercial, such as value-added wood products, windows, doors, cabinetry, metal wall panels, etc.
 
Contacting CMA:
 
If you are an existing exporter of Building Products or wish to export, and are interested in attending one of the Roadshow sessions please contact CMA by Tuesday, September 8, 2015 as follows:
All interested companies are requested to respond to the following questions:
  • Do you currently export Building Products outside Canada?
  • If yes, to which countries do you currently export and to which countries would you like to export?
  • If you do not currently export, to which countries are you interested in exporting?
  • What products do you produce?
  • Where are you located?
For additional information, you may also contact Carol Osmond at carol.osmond@cme-mec.ca or (709) 730-5999.
 

 

Executive Director – Atlantic Concrete Association – Halifax City

Established in 1966, the Atlantic Concrete Association (ACA) is the leading advocate for the concrete industry in Atlantic Canada.  The Association provides valuable services, education and support to our members; through the promotion of best practice and development of education programs which ensure quality and consistency in the marketplace.  Committed to providing the best possible service to our members, the ACA hosts a number of conferences, workshops and valuable networking events throughout the course of the year.  Currently, the ACA is looking for an Executive Director who is willing to take on the challenge of leading this multi-faceted association.

Reporting to the Board of Directors the Executive Director is chiefly responsible for the Association’s consistent achievement of its mission and organizational objectives. The Executive Director’s mandate is to ensure that the Association has a continuous long-range strategy which strives to achieve its goals in a timely manner.  The Executive Director manages our staff guiding them to meet their individual and team goals for the vitality of the Association.  The Executive Director will ensure that the ready mixed concrete industry is well represented in the Atlantic Provinces.  The Executive Director’s main responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Providing operational direction to the board, advising on current trends and concerns within the concrete industry.
Working with the Executive Board and staff, ensuring that ACA is fiscally responsible, while continuing to serve its members.
Ensuring that an effective staff team, job descriptions, policies and sound human resources practices are all in place.
Acting as a resource for the industry; through our Ready Mix News, trade shows, networking and seminars; the Executive Director will educate both the public and the industry on the benefits of concrete as a building material.
Developing and implementing a strategic marketing plan with the overall aim of increasing the consumption of ready mix concrete in the region.
Overseeing a targeted education program delivering best practice and innovative technical skills and knowledge to members and more broadly; industry stakeholders.
Working closely with government representatives to ensure that ACA members can meet all regulatory, environmental and government approvals; while developing a clear strategy for government relations that will communicate ACA’s needs and priorities.
Developing and maintaining professional relationships with Associate and Producer members to ensure that their needs in the Association are being met; through networking, education and industry promotion.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as an industry non-for profit leader – experience within the construction/concrete industry considered an asset.   Strong communication skills (both verbal and written), organizational and decision making skills, experience in business and finance, track record of government relations, effective networking skills and ability to engage in a professional environment with a high degree of diplomacy are also considered assets.  Travel (predominantly in Atlantic Canada) and week-end work will be required from time to time.

ACA is offering a competitive compensation package and a cohesive working environment.  Please submit your resume in confidence, quoting competition number ED0723-CB, to the attention of Michelle MacMullin at info@atlanticconcrete.ca.  Interested applicants should apply by August 5th, 2015.

We thank all candidates in advance for their interest in the Executive Director position. Please be advised that due to the large volume of candidates only those required for an interview will be contacted.

Harper Announces Additional Measures to Help Apprentices and Businesses Create Jobs

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a plan to expand and extend its support for apprentices, their families and the businesses that hire aspiring tradespeople. Read more

Integrate Health and Safety Programs and Policies to Better your Workforce

Occupational health and safety professionals spend a lot of time thinking about how to keep their people healthy and safe. Yet, health and safety efforts have traditionally been separated into silos with different personnel, reporting structures and marching orders. A more effective alignment of health and safety can magnify the potentially positive impact in the workplace, and employers are beginning to do just that. Read more