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May 17, 2007 |
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*Please note , WCA members
already on the list to receive this newsletter*
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PLEASE NOTE:
WCA summer hours will begin May 22, 2007 as follows: Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. __________________
Upcoming Industry Events ...............
WCA Spring Golf Tournament (Pine Ridge & Elmhurst Golf Course) Wednesday, May 30, Noon (FULL) CCA Meeting (Halifax) Thursday, May 31 to June 2 WCA Spring BBQ Wednesday, June 13, Noon __________________ WCA Education News ............... ............... Follow the above link for full schedule details or call Kelly Pochuk
at *Most courses can be used toward the Gold Seal Program* __________________ WCA Membership News ............... WCA welcomes its newest members: Phoenix Floor & Wall Products Inc. Mike Tunney PETRO CANADA FUEL PLAN * All WCA members currently enrolled in the Petro Canada Fuel Plan will receive an additional 10% discount on car wash purchases with the purchase of fuel at all Petro Canada tunnel car wash sites. * To enroll in the program, call Doug Sargeant at 989-4405. For more information regarding WCA membership, contact: Kelly Pochuk 775-8664 x 2225 or email: __________________ Planroom News ............... For technical difficulties regarding the online planroom, please contact: Darcy Baxter
Online Planroom Training Sessions Dates: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2007 |
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Provincial Candidates Face Off on Skilled Labour Shortage
In response the upcoming provincial election, WCA asked all party leaders to answer a questionnaire on the critical labour shortage, the number one concern among construction firms in Manitoba. Both the Liberal party and the New Democratic party responded and identified their respective solutions to the labour supply issue, should they form the government after May 22, 2007. At press time, WCA had not received a reply from the Progressive Conservative party.
Click HERE to view the letter sent to the party leaders.
Increasing Construction Trades Training:
NDP: The NDP has committed to investing $15 million to construct a new Heavy Equipment Training Centre at Red River College. The centre will double the size of the existing centre and will increase training spaces by 60%.
LIBERAL: Ending the wait list and increasing the training capacity at RRC is a first-year commitment for the Liberals.
Funding for Apprenticeship Spaces:
NDP: The NDP will work with employers and colleges to increase the number of active apprenticeship training opportunities by 4,000 over the next five years.
LIBERAL: The Liberals will add support at each stage of training, with funding towards the highest need areas first.
Pre-Apprenticeship Training:
NDP: The NDP will encourage young people to enter pre-apprenticeship programs by supporting students who want to pursue the first-year apprenticeship option, and other trades options during high school.
Ensuring Public Sector Embraces Training Apprentices:
NDP: The NDP will work with sector councils and the WCA to explore ways to incorporate apprentices into the public sector.
LIBERAL: The Liberal party will improve public sector support and provide openings so that citizens stay in Manitoba.
Innovative Training at the Entry Level:
NDP: A re-elected NDP government pledges to help Manitoba's growing northern economy by continuing to develop alternative forms of training delivery including distance ed, online, and community-based programs.
LIBERAL: The Liberals will commit to reducing the high school drop out rate with enhanced co-op placement programs and will provide increased incentives for research and development by Manitoba business.
Support for Apprentices:
NDP: If re-elected, the NDP government will develop incentives for apprentices and employers that will assist in meeting the needs of business in the construction industry.
Immigration:
NDP: NDP will provide new funding for upgrading programs (i.e. English as an Additional Language) to help apprentices meet entrance requirements.
LIBERAL: The Liberal party has a comprehensive plan to speed-up accreditation for foreign trained workers. Support systems for immigrant workers (i.e. English as a Second Language) will also be increased.
Click HERE for the complete NDP response.
Click HERE for the complete Liberal party response.
Gold Seal Certification / January – May 2007
Winnipeg Construction Association would like to congratulate the following individuals on achieving their Gold Seal Certification. These individuals have either written an exam or qualified as a Senior Practitioner through their years of experience and knowledge on the job.
Gary Wlasichuk, Estimator, Electrical Contractor, McCaine Electric
Perry Schenkeveld, Estimator, Electrical Contractor, Allco Electric
Patrick Lusty, Project Manager, General Contracting, MD Steele
Kevin Burton, Superintendent, General Contracting, FWS
Carl Thomasson, Superintendent, General Contracting, Bockstael Construction
Steven Eyolfson, Project Manager, Electrical Contractor, McCaine Electric
Tony Gaspur, Superintendent, Electrical Contractor, McCaine Electric
Kent Johnstone, Project Manager, General Contractor, Western Construction Services
For more information, please contact Kelly Pochuk, Gold Seal Administrator, Winnipeg Construction Association at
kpochuk@wpgca.com or 775-8664 x 2225.
The NDP government has committed to building a new $15 million Heavy Equipment Training Centre at Red River College. The announcement comes after the province pledged to create 4,000 new apprenticeship spaces, including approximately 2,500 at RRC.
Along with supporting Manitoba's green energy economy, the centre will increase job training opportunities, and help ensure that skilled workers are available for major capital projects, including the Red River Floodway expansion, the construction of the Wuskwatim hydroelectric generating station, and Manitoba's $2-billion, five-year roads and highways improvement plan.
The centre currently offers pre-employment training programs such as heavy duty equipment mechanic and outdoor power equipment technician. Apprenticeships offered include transport truck and bus mechanics, plus a new product training program that helps workers upgrade their skills as new products enter the market.
For the full article, click HERE.
WCA proudly presents the following seminar sessions:
May 23 & 24, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Project Scheduling MS Project 2003 (Level 1)
Red River College
This course is introductory in nature and is intended for individuals in the design and construction industries. Learn the theory of critical path project scheduling and how to use Microsoft Project 2003 to schedule projects, assign resources and track project progress. Class size is limited.
Project Scheduling Registration Form
WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST
June 5 & 6, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Blueprint Reading Level 2 (Quantity Takeoffs)
Red River College
This course is intended for individuals who have some knowledge of the organization of a set of construction drawings. The content will be general in nature and will focus mainly on architectural and structural drawings. This is not a trade-specific course.
Blueprint Reading Level 2 Registration Form
WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST
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Email: wca@wpgca.com
Visit our full website at www.wpgca.com
Winnipeg Construction Association is located at
290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 2A7
(204)775-8664
Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2007.
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