Articles tagged with "Workforce"

A report from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada highlights the significant contribution of mechanical contractors to the Canadian economy, injecting over $30 billion into the GDP while employing more than 205,000 workers. The report, titled 'Building Canada Now: The Economic Impact of Mechanical Contracting in Canada,' was commissioned by the association to showcase the sector's economic importance.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is constructing a new Ironworker Tower on its campus in Burnaby, B.C., to replace the existing multi-storey, structural steel training facility. The tower is integral to ironworker programs and involves students assembling and dismantling it as part of their training capstone project. This initiative aims to enhance the hands-on learning experience for students.

Montréal-based startup Mechasys has secured $23 million in Series A funding to amplify the production of its XR Projector, a laser projection device for construction sites. The investment, led by Idealist Capital with participation from Fondaction, will aid in scaling production, client onboarding, and further product development. Despite challenges from tariffs impacting profit margins, Mechasys plans to triple its workforce and expand its market internationally, with most revenue already coming from global sales. The company is committed to manufacturing in Canada and aims to improve construction efficiency worldwide with its innovative technology.

Greenbuild 2025 is an annual event for green building professionals, scheduled for November 4-7, 2025, in Los Angeles, aiming to improve resilience and sustainability in buildings and communities. Attendees will gain insights into sustainable development, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions. The event offers numerous learning opportunities, including CE credits, and will emphasize social equity and diverse participation.

Arsalan Zargar has been appointed as senior vice-president of transportation at CIMA+ for Western Canada and Ontario. With over 20 years of experience in the transportation and infrastructure sectors, Zargar will lead the development and implementation of CIMA+'s strategic transportation plans. He has previously worked with companies such as WSP, Infrastructure Ontario, and EllisDon, and has taught infrastructure financing at York University. His appointment has been effective since September 8.

The Manitoba government has signed its first Manitoba jobs agreement with Manitoba Building Trades to build four new schools in the province. This agreement prioritizes local workforce by ensuring contractors employ Manitoba workers and adhere to standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions. It also includes targets for apprenticeship hours to enhance workforce development. The MJA applies to major public infrastructure projects valued at $50 million and above, reinforcing the commitment to create quality jobs and support economic growth in Manitoba.

A partnership initiated by Bechtel's $7 million contribution to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is making significant progress in its mission to support half a million construction workers. The initiative has already reached 188,000 workers in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of mental health support. This effort highlights a growing awareness and response to mental health issues within the construction sector, which faces unique stressors and challenges.

Construct is celebrating its fifth anniversary this September with a skills training program that offers an intensive eight-week session in construction trades for job seekers in York, Durham, and Peel Regions of southern Ontario. These programs are designed to help individuals facing employment barriers. Emma Wood, the director of employment and expansion at Construct, noted the anniversary celebration will culminate with an event in October at their training center.

New York City has introduced new 'landmark legislation' for construction workers and supervisors. This legislation mandates additional Site Safety Training (SST) to include modules on mental health and wellness, specifically targeting suicide risk and prevention, as well as education on alcohol and substance misuse. This move aims to enhance the overall safety and well-being of construction site personnel.

Illinois' pre-apprenticeship programs are providing tuition-free, on-the-job training that has successfully attracted larger shares of underrepresented groups into the trades. This initiative aims to diversify the trades workforce by enabling access to training for minorities who have been historically underrepresented in the industry. This approach has been backed by a study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, emphasizing its impact on workforce diversity.

The article discusses the increasing risks on construction jobsites and the potential of AI-powered safety tools to mitigate these risks. However, construction companies face a challenge in trusting these AI tools without proper testing and verification processes. The article stresses the importance of benchmarking these technologies to ensure their reliability and effectiveness.

In this episode of 'Lexicon,' Al Eliasen, President of Spatial Business Systems, discusses how automation and AI are revolutionizing the utility sector by transforming utilities into data-driven entities. He highlights that traditional methods are becoming obsolete, and automation helps streamline processes, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency. Automation not only reduces backlogs and regulatory fines but also addresses workforce shortages by quickening apprenticeship programs. Eliasen emphasizes the need for more synchronized enterprise systems and industry-wide standards to keep up with increasing infrastructure interconnectivity.