Developing Great Leaders in the Construction Industry

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Leaders in the industry today deal with many challenges on a daily basis—finding and winning work, managing large and complex projects, meeting deadlines, satisfying clients, addressing near-continuous obstacles and much, much more. In the midst of the daily whirlwind, it can be easy to overlook one of the most critical aspects of leadership—developing others. Read more

The Construction Pro’s Guide to Managing Millennials
While the economy rebounds and the projects roll in, Baby Boomers are leaving but Millennials (the generation born between 1980ish and 2000ish) aren’t taking their place. Read more

CANS has partnered with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management to deliver world-class leadership development training right here in Nova Scotia, helping organizations become more productive and efficient, develop their capacity and the capabilities of their people, and attract and retain the future leaders of the construction industry. learn more.

CANS is hiring!

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CANS is currently seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Industry Education and Training Lead.

Scope and summary:

This position is responsible for the day to day planning, promotion, delivery and administration of CANS educational programs. This position works with various program advisory committees to design an annual education and general information program in response to membership needs, as well as liaises with industry organizations to assist in the development and delivery of appropriate programming.

This position provides continuing educational support and opportunities in a variety of formats for individuals currently employed in the construction trades in order to improve general business skills, personal performance, attain industry recognized certifications and address shifting client requirements.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Meeting budget requirements while continually developing the program by meeting the needs of industry.
  • Promotion of IET program, including private and customized training, to industry stakeholders.
  • Work with various stakeholders, appropriate CANS staff and committees to implement and assess an industry education strategy on an annual basis.
  • Identify potential trainers and training partners, and monitor the performance and delivery of programs for the membership.
  • Participate in the delivery of training programs as appropriate.
  • Develop, distribute, collect and evaluate surveys and other methods of obtaining feedback on training needs from the membership.
  • Maintain records including creation of a database of individuals participating in training and other education events to assist in supporting applications to various certification bodies.

Requirements:

  • Post-secondary degree/diploma in Business or related field.
  • Demonstrated success in program development and relationship building.
  • Experience in marketing, communications, business development and sales would be an asset.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the principles of adult education.
  • Knowledge of the structure and organization of the non-residential construction industry.
  • Strong computer skills. Competent in the use of Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of MS Project would be an asset.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Minimum 3 years experience in a similar role.

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and education.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing date: 10 July 2015

About CANS

The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) is an industry trade association representing the interests of contractors, suppliers and service providers throughout Atlantic Canada and across the country. We represent more than 750 large and small companies that build, renovate and restore non-residential buildings, roads, bridges and other engineering projects.

Check out this week’s Industry News

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Contractors Can be Victors and Not Victims Every Tax Season, Says Expert
As we gather our receipts and get ready to prepare our taxes, many of us start to feel a ‘cash crunch’ to pay HST and make instalment payments towards income taxes owing. Read more
 
Tories to Roll Out Pre-election Infrastructure Spending Spree
The Conservative government is preparing an infrastructure spending spree in the runup to the fall election, as federal and provincial sources confirm work is heating up to announce new projects under the New Building Canada Fund. Read more

Election Platform Supports Construction: Trudeau
Working with municipalities to support the construction of affordable housing, public transportation and critical infrastructure are elements of federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s upcoming election platform. Read more

Canadian Cities Caught Between Crumbling Infrastructure and Growing Calls for Transit
As a decision looms on part of Toronto’s aging Gardiner Expressway, cities across the country are facing their own difficult choices about building for the future, and what to do with infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan. Read more

Corporate Social Responsibility a Focus for the CCA
The Canadian Construction Association is looking to take a more active role in educating its members on the growing issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The shift is the result of a report prepared by a task force struck by the association’s business and market development committee. Read more

View From the Board: Working Collectively to Deal with Silica Exposure Limits
Years back, WorkSafeBC slashed the current eight-hour time-weighted average Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) in general industry by 50 per cent. Read more

Harrietsfield wind power project OK’d with conditions

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A three-turbine wind project near Harrietsfield, Halifax County, has received provincial environmental approval, with conditions. Environment Minister Randy Delorey gave the go-ahead to the Harrietsfield Williamswood wind farm on Tuesday. The 4.8-megawatt venture is being developed by Dartmouth-based Watts Wind 4 LP. Read more.

Pieridae gets green light to export natural gas

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Pieridae Energy Canada has received approval from the United States Department of Energy to export American natural gas to countries with which the U.S. has free trade agreements. While the proponent for a proposed $8.3-billion liquefied natural gas export terminal in Guysborough County hailed the approval as a “significant milestone,” the important permit is yet to come. Read more.

CANS 2015-16 Industry Education & Training Calendar – Available Online!

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CANS’ Industry Education and Training program, which provides valuable training opportunities for career development, skill building and enhancement, is designed specifically for the construction industry.

Partnering with industry experts, the Industry Education and Training program offers a comprehensive range of continuing education courses to our members and industry partners.

View the 2015-2016 Industry Education & Training Calendar online! 

Video: Making Nova Scotia the Safest Place to Work in Canada

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At the Safety Services Nova Scotia conference on March 23, 2015, the following video was unveiled. We’re seeing real progress – workers, employers, and safety leaders, are all stepping up to help make Nova Scotia the safest place to work in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EneG7-sBU20&feature=youtu.be

Don’t Miss the CANS Golf Tournament – June 11, 2015

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Limited spaces remain in the CANS 2015 Golf Tournament! Only two weeks until the tournament on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at The Links at Penn Hills & Fox Hollow Golf Club!

Register as a team or an individual!


REGISTRATION CONTEST

Register a team of 4 by Thursday, May 28, 2015 and be entered for a chance to win CANS prize packs for your whole team!

Think Differently Today

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As spring finally arrives, construction starts to kick into high gear. Today, I ask that you think a little differently about the people you see with hard hats, safety vests and steel-toed boots.

You may be delayed because of construction, but think about this: these hard working professionals are the people who build the highways that are so important to trade and tourism; hospitals that welcome our newest tiny humans and house those who need care; schools, where the hopes, dreams and creativity of our youth are ignited. They, and the tens of thousands of professionals behind them, build the infrastructure we take for granted everyday as we go to a graduation, visit a sick friend or simply go for a Sunday drive along our beautiful shores. We take it for granted, yet, this infrastructure is so vital to our economy, public safety and very way of life.

Today, I ask that you look up when you see a crane and be amazed with the science, technology and complexity of design and construction of the project. The next time you brush your teeth or take a shower, think about the complexity of getting safe clean drinking water to your home. When you cross a bridge without a thought, know that there are many people who have thought long and worked hard so you don’t have to think about it.

Think differently today and I promise you will think differently every day after that about the 30,000 men and women who build our province. You may even be motivated to say thanks the next time you pass a construction site (from a safe distance of course)!

Sincerely,

Duncan Williams
President, Construction Association of Nova Scotia

Duty of honesty principle underlies every commercial contract

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In a recent case, the Supreme Court of Canada found that the concept of good faith is an “organizing principle” underlying Canadian contract law, and that according to this organizing principle, a duty of honesty exists between parties to all commercial contracts. Read more.