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The Spirit of “Mr. Construction” Lives on with Memorial Scholarship

David Oulton’s memory continues to support construction industry through recently awarded NSCC scholarship.

(HALIFAX, NS — September 6, 2019) The David Oulton Memorial Scholarship was awarded for the first time to Sanchari De, at Construction Association of Nova Scotia’s office on Friday, September 6, 2019.

CANS Board Members and staff, Oulton’s surviving family, long-time colleagues and representatives from NSCC gathered Friday morning to present Ms. De with the new scholarship.

For more than half a century, the award’s namesake, David Oulton was a driving force in the construction industry, locally and abroad. Much of his life was spent working with people, trying to find a way to build their projects but also change the way construction was viewed. While his passion for construction earned him the nickname, “Mr. Construction” among friends, Oulton cared about much more than just buildings.

He spent a great deal of time volunteering in his community. “Dave’s involvement in construction wasn’t limited to fabricating and erecting the steel. He recognized that in order to grow and improve the construction industry, he needed to share his knowledge,” said CANS Vice-Chair, Tim Houtsma Friday morning.

Oulton was a man of his word, playing an active role in this community over the years. He was Chairman of CANS (1999), as well as sitting on various boards including, the Sector Council, the CCA and the NSCLR. He was a pioneer in driving positive relations with the Ironworkers Local 752, was a trustee on their Pension and Benefits plan, as well as instrumental in developing their apprenticeship program.

In 2007, Oulton spearheaded the CANS 150th Anniversary Industry Campaign. This campaign raised over $1.2 million in scholarships and bursaries for students in construction-related programs at the NSCC. “Hundreds of students have benefited from this program and will continue to benefit for decades to come:” said Duncan Williams, President and CEO of the CANS.

Despite his personal efforts to develop the industry, Oulton was a humble man. His wife, Connie said, “I don’t know that Dave would want recognition — he was the type to be an anonymous donor. He lived to work, the industry was so important to him.”

“Dave would’ve shied away from the spotlight of awarding this scholarship,” shared Houtsma, “but I know that he would be quietly proud that he is helping someone gain knowledge and benefit the construction industry.”

The award’s recipient, Sanchari De, will begin studies this September at the Ivany Campus. Despite the whirlwind of change — she arrived in Canada just 10 days before the award ceremony, De is excited to begin her studies in Nova Scotia. “It was a hard decision to leave my job and come this far from [India], but I believe that it will open various opportunities for me. I am willing to give my 100% to this course and hope to make my family proud one day.”

The newly created, David Oulton Memorial Award scholarship is given to a full-time student, enrolled in the Construction Management Technology program at NSCC, who demonstrates strong leadership abilities and a background of community involvement.

 

Safety: It’s Also Good for Business

As an industry, our discussion on health and safety issues focusses mainly on the impact of the wellbeing of people on our jobsites. But there’s a business case to be made for health and safety as well.  Here are ten reasons why you need to buy into health and safety. Read more.
Safety Apps
It’s becoming more common for project teams to investigate software and app options that will allow them to make use of smart devices on site. Read more.

Alcohol Testing in the Construction Industry

Everyone, including employees, stand to gain from safety in the workplace. So what can you do to protect worker and public safety if you are concerned about alcohol use or abuse in the workplace? Read more.

 

Key Developments in the Canadian Construction Market

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.

Save the Date: Apprenticeship Symposium

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

 

Regional Roundtable Report: Youth Apprenticeship Across Canada

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.

 

 

Pieridae gets green light to export natural gas

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 Launches Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership Program

CANS is partnering with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management, to deliver the Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership, a five month long cohort made based experience consisting of 15 courses where participants will develop critical leadership and industry specific behaviours, skills and attitudes.

Learn more and apply for the program today!

 

PRESS RELEASE
A new Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership will be introduced at Dalhousie’s University in the fall of 2014

The new professional development program is the result of a partnership between the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) and the Faculty of Management’s Executive Education Program.

The Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership is designed to support high potential candidates in Nova Scotia’s construction industry, developing the knowledge, behaviours, skills and competencies demanded from leaders in the sector. The program consists of 15 courses designed to develop leadership skills delivered through a blend of on-line and face-to-face learning. The program will also satisfy 25 educational credits for qualified candidates seeking to obtain their Gold Seal Accreditation, a nationally recognized level of experience and competence.

Dalhousie brought its innovative approach to the field of executive education in the fall of 2012 with the launch of a cohort-based leadership and management development program, which is adapted specifically to the needs and context of organizations in order to enhance productivity, efficiency and profitability.

“With the success of our first four cohorts from the Halifax Port Authority, IMP and Lindsay Construction, we have continued to refine our programming, enabling their teams to contribute to the success and long-term sustainability of their organizations and for individuals to enhance their professional profiles. Through our relationship with our partners at CANS, we’re pleased to open the doors to a different kind of cohort – individuals who are associated with the construction industry. What they have in common is not their company, but the vertical in which they work,” said Peggy Cunningham, Dean, Dalhousie Faculty of Management.

CANS partnered with Dalhousie University to further its mandate to deliver world-class leadership development training. “At CANS we work with organizations to help them become more productive and efficient, to develop their capacity and the capabilities of their people, and to attract and retain the future leaders of our industry,” said President Duncan Williams.

The Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership program was officially launched at a ceremony held in the Rowe Management Building on Feb. 10. Premier Stephen McNeil and a wide range of representatives from the construction industry were in attendance along with Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan, and Dalhousie University President Richard Florizone.

“The partnership we have established with CANS is just one of many examples of how we intend to work to be an integral part of the growing prosperity of our province, our region and beyond. We look forward to welcoming the first cohort to the Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership to Dalhousie in the fall of 2014 – they represent the future of a more competitive, productive and efficient construction industry in Nova Scotia,” said Florizone.

(CANS represents over 760 large and small companies that build, renovate and restore non-residential buildings, roads, bridges and other engineering projects. As an industry trade association CANS represents the interests of contractors, suppliers and service providers throughout Atlantic Canada and across the country.)

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For more information contact:

 

Janet Tobin
Communications & Marketing Lead
jtobin@cans.ns.ca
(902) 468.2267 x. 713
cell: (902) 818.0835

Apprenticeship Agency Industry Briefing – February 26th

Industry representatives are invited to attend an update on the changes underway to Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship system, and participate in identifying the priorities for the new agency. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Westin Halifax Hotel. (Download invitation.)

Visit  http://nsapprenticeship.ca/agency/ to find the discussion paper and to register.