Despite the negative impact of low oil prices in the economy of oil producing provinces, Alberta and British Columbia registered the highest gains in investment on non-residential construction in 1Q15; 4% and 2% growth respectively. Read more.
The federal government has softened tough anti-corruption rules for companies that want to do business with Ottawa. Read more.
Join CAF-FCA for a two-day symposium on October 22 & 23 at the Delta Ottawa City Centre in Ottawa. CAF-FCA will host roundtable sessions and face-to-face networking opportunities as we share new research findings on the hottest topics in apprenticeship: demand for skilled tradespeople and the mobility of apprentices. To receive event updates, contact info@caf-fca.org.
The symposium will include opportunities to:
– Learn more about recent research to define the qualifications employers want
– Provide input on labour market intelligence related specifically to apprenticeship
– Share labour market planning strategies related to recruitment and training
– Learn about challenges identified by apprentices and employers when an apprentice moves prior to certification
– Hear how recent harmonization efforts are progressing
– Brainstorm supports and solutions to facilitate apprentice mobility
Promoting skilled trades careers to youth, parents and educators remains an important priority among apprenticeship stakeholders. CAF-FCA convened a roundtable on May 28, 2015 in Saskatoon to provide insight into the objectives, approaches and design of youth apprenticeship programs in different parts of the country. Discussion encouraged participants to identify ways they can support youth apprenticeship programs, maximizing the impact of these programs as a pathway into the trades. A report on the event is now available, along with a host of related resources. Read more.
Nova Scotia Daily Stats – Canada’s real GDP was down 0.1 per cent in April, the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Goods production fell the fourth month in a row with a decline of 0.8 per cent while service-producing industries were up 0.3 per cent. Compared to April 2014, real GDP was up 1.2 per cent. Read more.
Dalhousie students develop chemical-based heating system
A space heater that works like a hand warmer. That’s the principle behind a new type of thermal energy storage being developed by a pair of graduate engineering students at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Louis Desgrosseilliers and Moe Kabbara recently formed NeoThermal Energy Storage, which is working on technology for use in home heating. Read more.
WCB Releases Strategic Plan
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia has released its Strategic Plan which will help guide the organzation for the next five years. Download the Plan here.
Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward Nova Scotia 2015-2024 Report
While total construction investment and employment fluctuate in a narrow band over the 2015–2024 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward scenario for Nova Scotia, important demographic challenges and shifts across markets tighten labour market conditions for several trades and occupations between 2019 and 2022. From 2008 to 2013, the province’s construction industry was sustained at record levels, as work shifted from residential peaks in 2011 and 2012 to engineering peaks in 2013. The record employment level reached in 2013 will act like a ceiling across the scenario period, as work ebbs and flows close to, but below, that level. Read the full report.
CCA President on the Canadian Construction Industry
Few Canadians know that Canada’s construction industry contributes close to seven percent of Canada’s GDP, that it employs over 1.3 million Canadians, (1 in every 14 working Canadians), or that it is in fact the fifth largest construction market in the world. Read more.
The Construction Industry’s Financial Future
The word “fascinating” could best describe a comparison of Canadian put-in-place investments versus trends statistics when it comes to construction’s investment forecast. Read more.
Canada Must Do More to Keep Cities Moving, Executives Say
Strong municipal infrastructure is critical to attracting people to our economic hubs, improving the quality of life for our work force and remaining globally competitive. However, according to this quarter’s C-Suite survey, Canada is only partly succeeding in addressing these needs, despite a growing focus by all levels of government on this backbone of our economy. Read more
Infrastructure Grapples with Climate Change
With groundbreaking research now supporting climate change, sustainable leaders in the industry have been encouraging municipalities and building owners to grapple with potential risk and protect the value of assets. Read more.
Canada’s Top Construction Firms Evolve, Adapt to Change
It is interesting to compare the Top Contractors list of 25 years ago with the one in this issue. There have been changes, but a surprising number of the companies that were on the list then, still dominate it. It is not as if the industry has not changed – the companies that have survived and thrived at the top have had to adapt to very challenging circumstances. Read more.
Developing Great Leaders in the Construction Industry
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.
Dexter Construction Receives an Award for Refugee Initiatives
Dexter Construction will receive Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Refugee Employment Award for its leadership role in improving the employment outcomes of refugees in Halifax Regional Municipality. Read more.
Raising Health and Safety Awareness in the Construction Sector
Working in construction involves dealing with ever-changing hazards: new technologies, newly developed work practices, and projects that are constantly evolving. Read more.
Homes in Future Will Feed Us
Rachel Armstrong, medical doctor and architect, tells Toronto conference that buildings in the future will be less inert artifacts than organic structures designed to incorporate natural processes. Read more.
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:
Requirements:
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.
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.
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