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Professional Development/Skills Training

August 2, 2010

Construction firms learn to get ‘Bear Smart’

Residents of a Canadian city debated whether police correctly handled a call reporting that a bear was shot and killed in April.

August 2, 2010

Lack of local workers on Wuskwatim Dam project riles Manitoba union

A carpenter’s union in Manitoba is upset that workers from outside the province are being given preference on the $1.3-billion Wuskwatim Dam project.

July 28, 2010

City of Vancouver report slams botched demolition

A report into a botched demolition at a downtown Vancouver construction site found several problems with the operation.

July 26, 2010

British Columbia’s electronic bidding system gets new name, services

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) has changed the name of its electronic bidding system to BidCentral to create a new brand as well as an online center for a suite of services and documents.

July 26, 2010

BC Construction Safety Alliance merger complete

The paperwork has gone through and the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) has officially been created.

July 26, 2010

Construction companies remain cautious about surety market

While many construction companies are currently performing well, there are concerns Canada’s economic recovery hasn’t yet established deep roots.

July 21, 2010

Calgary development industry launches election website

The Canadian Home Builder’s Association - Calgary Region and the Urban Development Institute Calgary have launched www.votecalgary.ca, a new website designed to educate and mobilize the housing and development industry to vote in the Oct. 18 municipal election.

July 21, 2010

Over-compensation issue has nothing to do with false claims

The article on the over-compensation of apprentices and COCA’s (Council of Construction Associations) campaign to stop this over-payment has drawn responses from two B.C. labour leaders.

July 21, 2010

Investigation launched after flag person killed in Mission, British Columbia

An investigation is underway into the death of a 49-year Langley resident, who was struck and killed by a car last week while controlling traffic at a construction site on the Lougheed Highway in Mission, B.C.

July 21, 2010

Consulting engineers have four potential career paths

When Andrew Steeves stepped up to the podium to address a group of young professionals employed in the consulting engineering industry, he opted to focus on the basics of building a successful firm.

July 21, 2010

Team approach, risk sharing necessary for BIM

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a powerful design and planning tool that can make construction speedier, more efficient, and reduce construction disputes, said James LeBer, a London Ontario-based litigation specialist and vice-president of the London and District Construction Association.

July 19, 2010

Saskatchewan Construction Association honours province’s best projects

For his efforts in spearheading the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship program, longtime industry “heavyweight” Paul McLellan was honoured with the Saskatchewan Construction Association (SCA) Person-of-the-Year Award.

July 14, 2010

Calgary’s development industry launches votecalgary.ca

The Canadian Home Builder’s Association - Calgary Region and the Urban Development Institute Calgary have launched, a new website designed to educate and mobilize the housing and development industry to vote in the Oct. 18 municipal election.

July 14, 2010

Calgary procurement code puts ethical onus on suppliers

Environment-friendly criteria have long been a part of the landscape in government procurement policies. but the City of Calgary, however, is going one step further with its Sustainable, Environmental and Ethical Procurement Policy (SEEPP).

July 12, 2010

Alberta’s auditor general criticizes immigration ministry’s occupational safety record

Alberta employers with open Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act non-compliance orders for more than a year, originally mentioned in April’s auditor general’s report, may not be as numerous as originally reported.

July 12, 2010

Over-compensation for injured apprentices a concern in British Columbia

The pay for an apprentice in B.C. gets a lot better if they’re injured and this concerns some construction employers. After an apprentice has been injured on the job and has received temporary wage-loss benefits for 10 weeks, he or she is eligible for compensation at a rate of 90 per cent of a beginner journeyman’s wage.

July 8, 2010

Finning International announces executive appointments

Finning International has named Andy Fraser its new executive vice-president of power systems and global business development. Most recently, Fraser oversaw Finning’s U.K. operations as managing director.

July 8, 2010

Canada’s construction starts make solid gains in first half

The pattern of CanaData’s construction starts (+77% in square footage and +66% in dollar volume) through the first half of this year has been fairly predictable. The big winners have been institutional and engineering work, thanks to government funding.

July 7, 2010

Vanbots had early input into Aga Khan’s Toronto landmark

Contractor Vanbots brought its “builder’s hat” to the table during the pre-construction phase of a $300 million project now under way in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood.

July 7, 2010

British Columbia’s construction industry dependent on stimulus, private investment

The construction industry in B.C. emerged from an abrupt and deep recession in 2009, but the strength of the upturn will depend on the timing of government stimulus and the recovery of private investment.

July 5, 2010

Bachelor degree in construction management offers flexibility

A construction management program is offering graduates a change to earn a degree, in addition to increasing their job prospects.

July 5, 2010

Harmonized sales tax could drive contractors to underground economy

The implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in B.C and Ontario could increase the chances that some construction businesses operate in the underground economy.