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Career Expo

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Third-Annual Expo Builds Future Workforce

Build it and they will come.

More than 1,300 high school students from across southern Manitoba got some hands on experience in the skilled construction trades on May 11, 2011 at the third-annual Manitoba Construction Career Expo.

Since Winnipeg Construction Association first spearheaded the inaugural Expo in 2009, the event has continued to grow in popularity. WCA partnered with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council and Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba, as Presenting Sponsors, to make 2011 the best yet.

The annual event, held at Red River Exhibition Place, focuses on attracting young people into the construction industry.

With recent projections from the Construction Sector Council (CSC) predicting employment demands to increase by more than 20 per cent between 2011 and 2014 in Manitoba, and remain high until at least 2019, the need to attract local residents into the sector is an ongoing focus, and the annual Expo is a big part of that process.

Ron Hambley, Executive Vice-President of Winnipeg Construction Association, says there’s no better time than now for students to consider a future in construction trades.

“A busy construction market and the need to replace baby boomers entering retirement is creating the perfect storm for those looking to break into the industry,” Hambley says.

This year’s Expo featured more than 30 interactive exhibits, allowing students the chance to try their hand at a wide range of skilled trade career options, from welding, masonry, insulating, and electrical to pipefitting, shingling and roofing, just to name a few. Other exhibits gave attendees a bird’s eye
view from the top of a zoom boom, the chance to operate a mini excavator, and mix and finish concrete with guidance from industry experts.

“My favourite exhibit would be the pipe insulating,” says Robert Shannacappo
of R.B. Russell Vocational High School. “Before I came here I was primarily interested in carpentry, but now that
I’ve been here and seen all this, I’m going to be keeping my options open.”

Ana Grabovac, a Grade 9 student at Arthur A. Leach Junior High School, says her particular highlight was getting a keepsake to bring home.

“I liked the one where I got to use a router to carve my name into a block of wood to bring home,” Grabovac says. “It was really fun. You had to work hard to follow the stenciling, but a fun challenge.”

Crystal Lachance of Sisler High School brought a new group of students from her school and felt the third edition was the best yet.

“Fabulous event. Even better than last year,” Lachance praised. “Well organized, excellent experience for staff and students. The kids loved the hands on.”

Safety professionals from the Construction Association of Manitoba provided students with safety briefings upon their arrival, and safety glasses were given to students to wear in the interactive area.

Many of the province’s construction associations and contractors have thrown their support behind the Expo and understand the role it plays regionally.

 “It was the third straight year of participation for 23 exhibitors and their experience showed,” show manager, Ron Mark, said. “The construction sector can be very proud of its efforts to promote their industry to high school students in a very creative and interactive format.”

Thank you to the following participating sponsor organizations and associations that helped make the 2011 Manitoba Construction Career Expo a success:

PRESENTED BY

Winnipeg Construction Association

Manitoba Construction Sector Council

Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba

MAJOR SPONSORS AND DONATORS

Construction Safety Association of Manitoba

Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA)

Manitoba Home Builders' Association

Manitoba Masonry Contractors Association

Manitoba Ready Mix Concrete Association

Manitoba Wall and Ceiling Association

Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba

DeWalt Tools

Roofing Contractors Association of Manitoba, Inc.

Manitoba Shingling Contractors Association

Manitoba Steel Fabricators Association

Red River College

Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada

Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba

Apprenticeship Manitoba / Government of Manitoba

Winnipeg Technical College

Manitoba Hydro

PCL Constructors Canada Inc.

Canadian Institute of Steel Contractors

Manitoba Masonry Institute

Concord Projects Ltd.

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local 99

United Rentals

Battlefield Equipment Rentals, the Cat Rental Store

Worker's Compensation Board of Manitoba

 

For more information, please contact:

Mitch Calvert                                                           Twila Driedger
Winnipeg Construction Association                  Winnipeg Construction Association
Phone: (204) 775-8664 ext. 2248                      Phone: (204) 775-8664 ext. 2242
Fax: (204) 783-6446                                             Fax: (204) 783-6446

mcalvert@winnipegconstruction.ca                   twila@winnipegconstruction.ca