Trade Up!

Trade Up! is a sophisticated multi-media tool that educates prospective workers about the career opportunities awaiting them in construction. The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) has been working toward creating its own Manitoba version of the Trade-Up! product. The project includes a website and CD-ROM dedicated to providing those interested in a career in the construction industry with useful information about key concerns such as skill requirements, where and how to get them, apprenticeship programs, career development opportunities and wages.

Development of the Manitoba Trade Up! product is currently in progress and a final product will be available later in the year with a target date set for August.

Any parties interested in sponsoring Trade Up! to assist with its progress and continued improvements are encouraged to contact WCA directly. Sponsors will receive

recognition on the Trade Up! website and CD-ROM. The Manitoba Trade Up! product is partially modeled after the Alberta version.  The Alberta Construction Association was the first developer of the Trade Up! product and can be accessed on the internet at www.careersconstruction.com.

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Comprehensive Fees Bylaw, City of Winnipeg's Planning Property and Development Department Informational Meeting

The Comprehensive Fees Bylaw sets the fees for building permits, zoning amendments, subdivision fees, sign fees, demolition permits, plumbing and electrical permits, plan review fees, contractor licensing fees and the list goes on.  WCA has been following the development of this by-law for over a year now through the various versions of the document.  During this time, the City of Winnipeg has proposed new methods for calculating commercial building permits fees and trade permit fees. 

An informational meeting hosted by the City of Winnipeg's Property and Development Department will occur June 30, 2004 at the Norwood Hotel between 7:45 am and 10:00 am.  WCA will be attendance at this meeting and will endeavor to collect the proposed bylaw so that the information can be shared with our members.  Our association encourages all GC's and major subtrades who are able to attend to do so.  Please advise the WCA accordingly if you plan to attend and so that we can notify the City as to how much representation is to be expected from our industry. 

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WCA Annual Spring BBQ

This year's WCA Spring BBQ was well attended by over 300 members and invited guests on June 22. Although a blustery summer day, the rain held off during the festivities, allowing attendees to enjoy the sunny lunchtime event. 

While munching on BBq fare, 100th Anniversary cake and sampling grog, guests also swayed to the sound of Bob ‘Moose' Jackson 's Dixieland Band. The only dampers of the day, although humourous, were the random attacks by disgruntled squirting smokies. More than a few fell victim to the edible dogs' shenanigans!

The winner of the BBQ draw was Henry Loewen of  Tri-Star Electric Company Ltd. Thanks to MTS Media's Mandi Taylor for manning their prize draw which was won by Ed Gallos at Master

Roofing Ltd.

WCA wishes to thank Johnson Construction Materials for 'cueing the burgers and smokies. Their crew was comprised of Dave Bromilow, Dave Birt, Andre Bayrak and Elmer Semchyshyn who were all at the WCA office bright and early to prepare for the hungry masses. Thanks guys!

Another special thank you is sent out to United Rentals' Bill Bush, Jan Bush and Kelly Yasuk for providing exquisite wine service throughout the BBQ. United Rentals also supplied the drink buggies and safety fences.

A sincere thank you to Battlefield Equipment for supplying the commercial BBq.

A final "thanks" goes to all Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Construction Safety Association and Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba staff who lent a hand to help make the day's events run smoothly. Good work guys & gals!

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CCA News:

CCA New Design-Build Guides

The Canadian Design-Build Institute (CDBI) has announced the completion of its 300 Series ‘Responding to RFQ's & RFP's' and Document 310 ‘Conceptual Estimating' of the Design-Build Practice Manual Series. Also new is a ‘Request for Proposal Guide' to complement the 200 Series; this guide was developed by the CDBI Owners Committee.

The three new documents are:

•  Document 210 – Request for Proposal Guide

•  Series 300 – Responding to RFQ's & RFP's

•  Document 310 – Conceptual Estimating

The documents will be available shortly and then may be purchased through the Winnipeg Construction Association individually or as a complete set which also includes Series 100 – Introduction & General and Series 200 – Procurement & Award as well as Document 205 – Methodology Assessment Matrix.

CCA's Election Watch 2004

This coming Monday, June 28, 2004, Canadian citizens will head to the polls for the country's 38th General Election for Prime Minister.  Last week, we featured a link to the CCA's construction survey aimed at all four major political parties.  The NDP's response was missing last week but is now posted on the CCA website.  Other political issues and party platforms related to the construction industry are also outlined on the CCA site.  Follow this link to the

CCA's Election Watch 2004 .

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Build Manitoba

Building and Construction Conference and Trade Expo

"Build Manitoba" debuts this year as Manitoba's largest building and construction conference and trade exposition.  The event brings both residential and commercial construction together in one venue.  It will feature 104 conference sessions and a 150-booth trade exposition showcasing the latest in products, service and technology for the building and construction industry.  This event is designed to be of interest to every one involved in some aspect of construction.

WCA has committed itself to participate in "Build Manitoba" through sponsorship and by providing educational seminars.

"Build Manitoba" will be held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from November 2 to 3, 2004.  More conference information on the seminar sessions will be available in September.

For more information about "Build Manitoba", to be a sponsor and/or participate in the Trade Expo, contact Ron Mark at (204) 925-2566.

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Construction Technology Program

Edge Training and Consulting 

On June 12, 2004, sixteen students achieved their Level One Carpentry via the Construction Technology Program offered at RB Russell Vocational High School.  We are also very happy to report that they have all found a work placement opportunity to hone their skills as they prepare to go on to Level 2 Apprenticeship. 

The 20 week in classroom training program covered a range of subject areas related to the carpentry craft including:

• Safety Training: WHMIS, CPR & First Aid, Hand & Power Tool Safety, Ladder Safety, Scaffolds
• Building Science
• Level One Carpentry certified (all 4 levels are covered)
• Practical experience renovating a core area house
• Workshops and projects: electrical, plumbing, flooring installation, drywalling & taping, cabinet making, foundation forming, truss and joist manufacturing, painting
• Welding Seminars and practice
• Computer Workshops
• Construction Math

The graduates are now completing up to five weeks of on the job training but are eligible to be hired after the third week on the job. 

Debra Amos of Edge Training and Consulting would like to sincerely thank all members of the WCA who participated in getting this program off the ground and for accepting students for placement and apprenticeship.  She said that working with the WCA membership was a real pleasure. 

All students have found a position, but if any members are still interested or would like to offer an opportunity in the future, please contact Debra at (204)771-7893 or edgetraining@mts.net .  For program course work information, contact Ben Phillips at (204)782-8857.

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WCA Sponsors High School Awards

Tec Voc Building Construction and RB Russell Home Renovations. As an acknowledgement and appreciation of their hard work, Winnipeg Construction Association has shown its support for exceptional high school students in construction related programs in the form of sponsored monetary awards.

As there were no graduating students from Building Construction at RB Russell, one award was presented to Melanie West, a graduating student of Home Renovation, a program she successfully participated in for the full four years.  Tim Lingbeck received a program award for Community Stewardship and Juan Miguell Figueroa-Vasquel was the recipient for Most Improved.  The awards were presented on June 24, 2004. 

Tec Voc awards are distributed on two separate dates.  On June 16, 2004, Undergrad Award winners of the Building Construction program were Grade 10 student Kevin Campbell and Grade 11 student Jamie Wilson.  The award for a Grade 12 student will be presented on June 29, 2004 at the University of Winnipeg's Duckworth Centre.

Congratulations to all winners and program participants in recognition of their dedication and hard work!

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7th Annual Manitoba Skills Competition

2004 Winners, Cabinet Making and Carpentry

This year's Manitoba Skills Competition was held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from May 26th-May 30th.  WCA was a contributor as an awards sponsor and recognition is accredited to Gary Johnson at Gardon Construction for providing judges Jo Sylvestre and Richard Grewe and to Star Building Materials for the donation of material.

The winners of the Manitoba Cabinet Making Competition were as follows:

Gold - Corey Voth, W.C. Miller Collegiate

Silver - Travis Wieler, Steinbach Regional Secondary

Bronze - Tim Rinas, Steinbach Regional Secondary

Winners of the Manitoba Carpentry Competition included:

Gold - Andreas Barz, Steinbach Regional Secondary

Silver - Shawn Rempel, Steinbach Regional Secondary

Bronze - Jason Wyne, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary

The Winnipeg Construction Association congratulates all winners and participants for their efforts in the competition.

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Edited by Jackie Petrus, WCA Construction News Reporter. 

Comments or questions?  Email wca@wpgca.com.

Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2004.

290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 2A7, (204) 775-8664.