Professional Development/Skills Training

July 3, 2009

Lethbridge, Alberta viaduct stands test of time

Not only is it the world’s longest and highest railway trestle, but it may be the toughest, too. There are no restrictions on the length or weight of the mile-long freight trains that roll across the Lethbridge Viaduct a dozen times a day, even though the bridge is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday in September.

June 2, 2009

BC coalition launches push for more apprenticeship training

A broad coalition of organizations with a stake in the British Columbia’s industry training system has come together to deliver the message that, with the downturn in the economy, now’s the time for an intensified focus on the training of apprentices.

May 20, 2009

CAMH partners with George Brown College to offer Construction Craft Worker program

While the national unemployment rate has inched up to about eight percent and the figures for those out of work in the struggling construction sector are well into double-digit territory, they are a far cry from the 80 percent unemployment rate endured by those with a history of mental health or addiction issues.

May 14, 2009

Ontario industry coalition urges government to boost apprenticeship funding

A coalition of Ontario industries is calling on Ontario to invest $180 million over five years in order to strengthen apprenticeships to help reach workforce targets by 2020.

May 12, 2009

Toronto District School Board votes to close Timothy Eaton trade school

A decision to close the root feeder school for Toronto area public high school students pursuing a career in carpentry is a disappointing development, says the local carpenters union.

May 8, 2009

Managing cultural change poses challenge as BIM gains traction

Managing cultural change in the construction industry poses a greater challenge than any technological transformation as Building Information Modeling (BIM) gains traction, contractors were told recently.

May 4, 2009

CSAO won’t cut consulting outreach

The Construction Safety Association of Ontario faces impending change through the realignment of provincial safety associations, but that does not mean health and safety consulting outreach will slow down, says its general manager.

April 27, 2009

AGC urges changes to ‘green jobs’ training grants

Congress should eliminate restrictions on new “green jobs” training grants that disqualify construction training programs that aren’t affiliated with a union, the Associated General Contractors of America says.

April 27, 2009

First Nations workers complete Enbridge’s heavy equipment operator training program

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. says that that eighteen Manitoba aboriginal people have completed a company-sponsored initiative providing them with heavy equipment operator training. Enbridge is funding the $450,000 program and Banister Pipeline, the main contractor for Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper pipeline project, is donating equipment.

April 20, 2009

Merit Canada welcomes Harper’s reaffirmed commitment to apprenticeship training

The President of Canada’s largest open shop construction association says an April 9 statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirming the government of Canada’s commitment to apprenticeship training is welcomed by Canada’s construction industry.