Articles tagged with "Workforce"

George Brown College in Ontario is transitioning to George Brown Polytechnic and will be launching what it claims to be Canada's first Master of Construction Management program. This initiative aims to expand applied education and respond to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry. The name change and the introduction of the new program were announced in October, signifying a strategic shift towards advanced academic offerings.

The article discusses how construction sites can appear daunting and presents the idea of a haunted guide for construction. It humorously describes procurement processes as mysterious and compares contractual issues to supernatural elements. The context is set with Halloween in mind, offering a playful take on the challenges in construction projects.

A Toronto contractor, KAS Aluminum & Copper Ltd., has been fined $80,000 by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development following the death of a worker who fell at a home renovation site. The company pleaded guilty in Toronto’s Provincial Offences Court to failing safety standards. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the construction industry.

Infrastructure Ontario's latest Market Update reveals over $30 billion in estimated costs for 25 major projects in various stages of procurement. The update highlights 20 projects in the planning stages, with significant investments in infrastructure to bolster the economy and maintain construction jobs. Recent completions include notable projects like the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Redevelopment. Infrastructure Ontario emphasizes its commitment to building a modern, connected province with the support of industry partners.

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) recognizes leaders and organizations who are driving change in the construction industry. The recipients of the 2025 awards embody leadership, innovation, and a dedication to equity. These awardees showcase the evolving nature of inclusion and excellence within the Canadian construction sector.

Canada's Building Trades Unions have expressed support for the funding of the Darlington small modular reactor project in Ontario. This funding, announced by federal and provincial governments, is seen as a significant advancement for Canada’s energy and construction sectors. The project, managed by Ontario Power Generation, involves the construction of four modular reactors at the Darlington site.

The Ontario government is allocating over $8.6 million through its Skills Development Fund to aid more than 1,700 women in the Greater Toronto Area in securing training for careers in skilled trades. This funding is part of the province's larger $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund initiative. The move aims to facilitate women's entry into good-paying, in-demand jobs. The announcement comes amidst some controversy over the broader spending of the Skills Development Fund.

Candice White, CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario, announced at the Ontario Building Trades convention that the organization has made a significant breakthrough in attracting potential new apprentices. The key strategy involves leveraging popular platforms like Minecraft and Snapchat as part of the Apprenticeship Pays campaign. This initiative aims to alter the perceptions of students and their parents towards skilled trades.

The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario has renewed its commitment to collaborate with Bruce Power and key stakeholders to support Ontario’s nuclear energy sector. This partnership aims to bolster the province’s ability to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. The announcement was made at the council’s 67th annual convention in Windsor.

Conservative members in Canada are advocating for strategic investments in skills training and affordable housing for workers to address the spike in youth unemployment, which has reached its highest level in 15 years. MP Garnett Genuis emphasizes the need for the federal government to take more decisive steps in aligning post-secondary education with the labor market demands, particularly for skilled trades. The proposal aims to equip young Canadians with the necessary skills to thrive in high-demand fields.

Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini faced criticism regarding a $2.5-billion skills development fund as the provincial parliament resumed. Opposition parties questioned findings from a recent Ontario auditor general report, raising various concerns about the fund's management. The scrutiny highlights ongoing debates about effective allocation and oversight of public funds.

At the Ontario Building Trades convention, unionized construction workers and managers were briefed on a natural gas explosion that occurred at a construction site in North York, injuring seven people. The incident happened at a highrise project, and those hurt had to undergo skin grafts. The discussion emphasized the serious nature of the injuries and the importance of safety protocols on construction sites.