Construction industry strives to bring injured workers back to the job site

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The construction industry is facing a serious labour shortage and is looking for ways to replace workers who are at the end of their careers and retiring in great numbers. One source of new — or at least renewed — blood has been receiving attention lately: injured workers who can be brought back to work relatively quickly. Read more.

Thirteen recent advances in robotic building technology

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The buildings and infrastructure of the not-so-distant future might look like they were dropped here from an alien planet thanks to the complex geometries and curvaceous surfaces robotic building technologies are able to produce. Read more.

2018-2019 Federal Budget Highlights – Impact to the Construction

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Apprenticeship / Women in Construction             

  • $65.9 million in targeted grants and commitments to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs have been announced for over the next five years.
  • $19.9 million over the next 5 years has been earmarked to pilot an ‘Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women,’ resulting in increased support for women in red seal trades. Women in male-dominated Red Seal trades would receive $3,000 for each of their first two years of training. This is in addition to the existing Apprenticeship Completion Grant of $2,000. About 90 per cent of Red Seal trades would be eligible for the new grant.
  • A new ‘Pre-Apprenticeship Program’ is being funded beginning in 2018 with $46 million over the next 5 years, changing to $10 million per year after that.  The program will assist underrepresented Canadian groups in entering the trades, gaining work experience, accessing skills development opportunities, and ultimately making informed career choices.
  • The announcement of the new ‘Women in Construction Fund’ includes a committed $10 million to attract women to the trades over the next 3 years by investing in the further development of existing models designed to attract more women to the trades.

Infrastructure

  • Short-term infrastructure spending is once again lower than expected with more budget reallocations toward departmental spending. The projected infrastructure spending lapse in this past year was $2.67 billion, with budget projections showing the lapse hitting $2.19 Billion in 2018/19.

Small Business Tax Reform

  • The budget unveiled new details on the taxation of passive investment income inside private corporations. When companies earn between $50,000 and $150,00 in a given year from passive investments, a reduced amount of their active business income will be eligible for the small business tax rate, which will be 9 per cent in 2019. (The upper limit for business income that can be taxed at the small business rate is $500,000.) The reduction will occur on a straight-line basis, with eligible income decreasing by $5 for every $1 of passive income above the $50,000 threshold.

Rental Housing Construction

  • Potential construction of affordable rental housing has received a $1.25-billion boost over the next three years. The federal government expects the extra investment will spur the construction of 14,000 new rental units across Canada.

NSAA Marketing Campaign – Casting Call

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The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) is seeking your assistance in the creation of a marketing campaign to promote apprenticeship as a great career choice.

Although there are a number of aspects to the campaign, we are asking you to promote and encourage certified tradespersons and/or apprentices to apply to be part of a professional photo shoot, in which the photos will be used for various promotional materials.   Please send this notification to those in your network, or employees who you feel would be willing and prepared to represent their trade and the apprenticeship system.

We are inviting applications for tradespeople and/or apprentices in the following trades/trade sectors:

  • Truck and Transport Mechanic
  • Construction trades
  • Machinist
  • Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

You or your organization have been identified due to your involvement with the apprenticeship system in the above trades.  It is important that the trades be represented by the diversity that exists in the province.

Click HERE to see the casting call information page.  From there, under the heading “How to Apply” you can find the link that will take you to the casting application.

Please note:

  • Applications are electronic and are sent to a casting company (not the Agency)
  • The locations for the shoots will be work locations that are being reviewed
  • Applicants will be selected and those selected will receive pay
  • Applicants will be required to be at the photo shoot location for at least one full day
  • Applications are required immediately

If you have any questions please contact Erin Hennessey at hennesseycasting@gmail.com.

 

OHS Act Amendments Take Effect June 12, 2017

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In April 2016, government introduced and passed Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to help keep Nova Scotians safe at work. Most employers in Nova Scotia operate safe workplaces. However, there are some who repeatedly break serious health and safety rules, putting Nova Scotians at risk of serious injury or death. The amendments hold those employers more accountable, and were passed by the legislature with a commitment by the Department to work with stakeholders on next steps. That work is complete, and we’re ready to put the changes into place.

The amendments came into force on June 12, 2017.

Click HERE to review the Safety Bulletin summarizing the changes to the act.

Click HERE for a copy of the updated Act.

To review the details of the revised Act, click HERE for the link to Bill 165.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call 1-800-952-2687 or 902-424-5400, or via email at ohsdivision@novascotia.ca

Day of Mourning – April 28, 2017

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On April 28, Nova Scotia joins the rest of Canada and more than 80 countries worldwide to remember those who died, were injured or became ill at work. The Day of Mourning offers employees and employers the opportunity to publicly renew their commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace.

Day of Mourning Story: Glenn Martin – 26 coal miners were tragically lost in the Westray Mine disaster of 1992. Glenn Martin, a man who loved friends, family and fishing, was one of them. Allen Martin remembers his brother 25 years later. Watch the video below.

On April 28, join other Nova Scotians in observing the Day of Mourning by remembering those who have been lost to a workplace tragedy and honouring those who have been affected. Visit the Day of Mourning website for more information.

What’s Shaking with Earthquake Resistant Technologies

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An expressway off-ramp that will bend in a strong earthquake but remain standing — and usable — is under construction as part of a huge bridge/tunnel project in downtown Seattle. Read more

CANS Welcomes CCA Board of Directors and Executives

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On June 15, CANS President, Duncan Williams, and Chairman, Matt Brunt, will welcome the Board of Directors and Executive of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) with a Harbour Cruise Welcome Reception aboard the Tall Ship Silva.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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CANS OFFICE CLOSURE – Tuesday, February 9th

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Due to weather conditions CANS has decided to delay opening Tuesday, February 9, 2016 until 10:00am.  We apologize for any inconvenience. Stay tuned to our website for further updates.

PLEASE NOTE:All Industry Education and Training courses for the day have been rescheduled, Jessica McCall, Industry Education and Training Lead will be in touch with all those registered regarding new dates.

Adult Learning CANS Works Program – Earn your Grade 12 and Work Towards a Career in Construction

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If you want to prepare for work in the construction industry and complete your high school diploma at the same time, you can do both with our Adult Learning CANSWorks Program at NSCC.

You will be able to complete the course credits you need to earn your High School Diploma, along with the essential hands-on skills and work experience to gain employment in a range of entry level construction positions such as Concrete Finisher, Asphalt Technician, Heavy Civil Construction, Drywall Finisher, General Labourer, Concrete Forming, Reinforcing Steel Rod Person and Restoration Stone Work.

In this program you gain valuable on-the-job work experience, up-to-date safety skills and training required for construction sites, and fundamental construction skills required for entry-level positions. In addition, this program prepares you with skills in critical thinking, professionalism, communication and teamwork, enabling you to be a valuable member of a construction crew.

The CANSWorks program is a partnership between the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, Department of Labour and Advanced Education, the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning and NSCC.

Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must be 19 years of age or older.
  • Applicants must be out of school for at least 1 year and have not previously completed a high school diploma.
  • Applicants must be Nova Scotia residents who have permanent resident, refugee with protected person, or Canadian citizen status.
  • Applicants must be assessed to have the level IV pre-requisite skills or completed credits at the grade 10 level or equivalent (ex. ALP Level III or GED).

Program Requirements

An additional requirement for your participation in this program is a statement of understanding which you must review and sign before starting the program. This statement describes the work and learning environment and outlines what is expected of students to achieve success in the program and on the job. Details are provided with your acceptance notification from NSCC – CANSWorks Statement of Understanding

Why choose CANSWorks?

  • You benefit from a hands-on approach to learning.
  • You’ll learn the most-up-to-date safety skills and fundamental construction trades skills required to work in a variety of entry level commercial construction trades environments.
  • Gain on-the-job work experience (up to 24 weeks) and connections to employers in the commercial construction trades.
  • Gain an understanding of the construction industry and employment opportunities through presentations from employers, site visits and networking.

Employment Opportunities

The CANSWorks Program qualifies you for employment in entry-level construction. Employers are looking for employees in this sector that have high school graduation diploma, accredited safety skills training and basic industry training. In addition, employers are looking for employees with an attitude of safety first as well as, professionalism and a willingness to continue to learn new skills.

Other Info

  • Tuition & Fees – There is no tuition for students accepted into this program. However, there are some additional program costs. Required textbooks are available for loan (at no charge to the student). Students also have the option to purchase textbooks. To help with your planning, view the detailed program costs on the NSCC website.
  • Classes will begin in September 2015. After two terms of courses, work placements are scheduled to begin in April and May 2016 and will run up to 24 weeks, depending on the employer. Year two studies will resume in the Fall of 2016 and end in the Spring of 2017.
  • Additional personal safety equipment is required. Some of the basic equipment will be supplied and students may be required to purchase (at discount) additional equipment, depending on the specific work placement. Students will be supported through this process by the Partners and the Project Lead.
  • All mandatory ALP courses, trades electives, NS Safety Suite and Work Experience must be successfully completed in order to graduate.
  • Employers will require an interview before accepting students for work placement.
  • Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the work placement.

Apply Now

To apply, download the CANS Works Application and submit the completed application to:

NSCC Admissions
P.O. Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4 

Questions?

For more information, contact: Michelle Fievet – email mfievet@cans.ns.ca or call 902-468-2267 Ext. 711.