There was a common thread that ran through meetings, seminars and casual conversation at the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada 65th annual conference. Even the beautiful scenery and warm temperatures at the Paradisus Puerto Rico resort Nov. 29-Dec. 2. couldnt keep the 320 contractors and companions minds off a key problem at home. Several told P&HVAC that the key limiting factor in their ability to bid projects is finding and keeping skilled trades people. The issue of labour shortages is so acute that you get people that would normally not sit at the same table (union/non-union contractors and other industry groups) working together, reported George Gritziotis, executive director of the Construction Sector Council (CSC), a joint management/labour organization created to find solutions to the industrys future labour needs. Many existing workers are nearing retirement at the same time that an explosion in all construction sectors is inflating the demand for skilled workers, he added. Canadas construction industry employs a million people, of which about 700,000 work the tools. The demand isnt likely to slow anytime soon, said Gritziotis. Over $200-billion in new industrial projects alone have been announced for the next 10 years. In that time frame, another 200,000 skilled workers will be required to cover increased demand and retirement. Productivity has gone down because companies are accepting workers that they wouldnt have accepted 10 years ago, he added. Many wonder where new workers are going to come from. Some experts point to immigration or aboriginal workers as the next construction labour force. However, said Gritziotis, Lets not forget our (Canadian) kids, noting that the high unemployment rate for Canadas 15 to 24-year-olds.
Student chapters
A number of MCAC regions are heeding that advice with the creation of student chapters. It hasnt been easy because the mechanical industry is virtually invisible to the public, noted Brian McCabe, executive vice-president, MCA-Toronto at a panel discussion. Not only do these students not know, but the public doesnt know about mechanical contracting. However, visiting the schools and talking to students can make a big difference, added Tania Johnston, executive director of the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (CMCEF). If we get out there and open their eyes they usually show an interest. Speaker Tim Wentz, a professor at the University of Nebraska and longtime mechanical engineer, noted a number of aspects that really appeal to young people: the industry is a critical one, it is part of the green solution to the earths environmental woes and it is technology driven with things like computer estimating, CAD design and radio frequency identification (RFID) for supplies and tools, said Wentz. Mechanical contractors are passionate about what they do & we need to put (students) in touch with our industry leaders &
Busy year
As pressing as the work shortage is, it is only one of the issues that MCAC is involved in, reported Tom Vincent (Sayers & Assoc., Dartmouth, N.S.) in his chairmans report one of his final duties at the end of a two-year term. Members and volunteers worked with the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to develop a bid depository strategic plan. This includes an information website (www.cca-acc.com) and efforts to inject bid depository information into the university curriculum for engineers and architects, MCAC president Richard McKeagan told P&HVAC. The group is also working on a national set of rules. One major MCAC initiative in recent years has been the establishment of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (www.ntccc.ca), a group that represents a number of trade contractor associations including MCAC. It will promote the use of bid depositories as well as working on other key concerns such as getting paid and standard contract forms. The MCAC commissioning task force is close to offering commissioning training through the CMCEF. As well, MCAC is spearheading efforts at CSA to develop a commissioning standard, Vincent reported. Another major MCAC initiative has been the formation of a service contractor division (officially launched Feb. 1). There are large numbers of service contractors that are not members of any organization and they could use some help, said Vincent. (Watch for more on this in the next issue.) CMCEF, the MCAC training wing, expects to have a supervisor course available soon, reported CMCEF chairman Terry Billings (Consolidated Piping Y2K Ltd., Fredericton, N.B.). The group surpassed $1 million in fundraising during 2006, he added.
New executive
Elections at the annual meeting saw James Derksen, Derksen Plumbing & Heating, Winnipeg, elected chairman. Bob Hoare (Adelt Mechanical, Mississauga, Ont.) is chairman elect and vice chairman for Central Canada. Brad Diggens, MJS Mechanical, Calgary, was elected vice-chairman, Western Canada and George White, ICS State, Dartmouth, N.S. will serve as vice-chairman Eastern. Tom Vincent will take on the secretary/treasurers role while Richard McKeagan remains president. The next MCAC (www.mcac.ca) conference will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa Sept. 19-22, 2007.
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