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Professional Development/Skills Training

September 1, 2008

Drug treatment facility not included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy

The only residential drug treatment centre in western Canada geared specifically to meet the needs of construction workers with substance abuse problems has not been included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy.

September 1, 2008

Crane hits Calgary train

A mobile construction crane struck a commuter train in Calgary injuring six people on Aug. 27.

August 27, 2008

EllisDon wins contract for Education Centre in Calgary, Alberta

An $80.5 million contract for an Education Centre for the Calgary Board of Education has been awarded to EllisDon. The project will be LEED certified, targeting Silver.

August 27, 2008

Unionized construction workers in British Columbia subject to new drug policy

Unionized construction workers, who have a problem with drinking or getting high on the job, are being targeted by a new drug testing program, which is the first of its kind in Canada.

August 27, 2008

Vancouver architect extolls the virtues of wood for sustainable building

Vancouver architect Larry McFarland is a wood advocate, and proud of it.

August 27, 2008

Saskatchewan changes temporary worker program

Some labour unions in Saskatchewan are skeptical about a joint initiative between the federal and provincial governments to make improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program allows the provincial government to select skilled workers and nominate applicants for landed immigrant status.

August 25, 2008

Victoria’s Dockside Green community achieves LEED Platinum certification

The first phase of Dockside Green, a 1.3-million-square-foot community built on a former brownfield site in the heart of Victoria, has achieved LEED Platinum certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

August 20, 2008

Canadian Demolition Safety Manual ready for distribution

The Canadian demolition industry’s first-ever safety manual has been published and industry representatives continue to make further inroads with the National Demolition Association (NDA) in the United States.

August 20, 2008

Contractors, unions disagree on Canadian government’s fast-track immigration proposal

Unions and contractors in Alberta disagree about the merits of a new federal government immigration program.

August 20, 2008

Infrastructure Solutions Project aims for better planning and management

Better planned and managed infrastructure is the goal of the Infrastructure Solutions Project established in an agreement between the federal government and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

August 20, 2008

British Columbia construction unions and employers reach agreement on drug testing

On August 21, 2008, the Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of B.C. and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions announced that the province’ construction unions and their employers have developed a substance-abuse testing and treatment policy.

August 20, 2008

WorkSafeBC expects drop in base assessment rates for construction industry

For the third year in a row, most WorkSafeBC base assessment rates will drop for employers in B.C.’s construction industry.

August 18, 2008

RAIC members continue to ensure that architecture matters by adhering to values, mission

As the leading voice of architecture in Canada, the RAIC has been doing great work to build awareness and appreciation of the contribution of architecture to the physical and cultural well-being of Canada, writes RAIC president Paule Boutin.

August 6, 2008

CCA seeks details on premiers’ national labour mobility directive

A decision by Canadian premiers to increase full labour mobility nationwide is being met with cautious optimism across the Canadian construction landscape.

August 6, 2008

New Saskatchewan program fast-tracks internationally-trained skilled workers

For Saskatchewan employers struggling to hire people skilled in the mechanical trades, relief will soon be on the way.

August 6, 2008

Readers respond to JOC poll: Is B.C. doing enough about crane safety?

TIC Canada equipment supervisor Mike Garies responds to the JOC poll question “Is B.C. doing enough about crane safety?”

July 30, 2008

COCA president stands behind WorkSafeBC’s claims statistics

WorkSafeBC 2007 statistics indicate there were fewer claims for injury accidents and survival benefits per 1,000 employees than ever recorded in the history of the construction industry.

July 30, 2008

Korean workers embark on new careers as heavy-equipment operators in Alberta

Hunt International, a world wide recruitment and human resources firm, is providing workers in Korea with training in heavy equipment operation, so they can obtain employment in B.C. and Alberta.

July 30, 2008

Allison Rougeau: Negative perceptions of apprenticeship training need to change

This column is in response to a letter to the editor on July 16, 2008 entitled: Canadian apprenticeship system faces two more challenges.

July 30, 2008

Stolen road construction equipment left on tracks derails CN train

A train derailment occurred east of Edmonton after a piece of road construction equipment was deliberately placed on railway tracks.

July 30, 2008

Reader Response: Plan to split ironworker trade into three certificates meets with opposition

Here at Journal of Commerce, we asked readers, “Will splitting ironworker trades training into three specialized certificates benefit young apprentices?” Here’s what you had to say...