Labour Supply Issues at the Forefront

 Government Advocacy  Comments Off
May 292012
 

The Alberta Coalition for Action on Labour Shortages (ACALS) industry advocacy group continues to grow, now with 21 organizations representing a large portion of the Alberta economy, as members.  The group recently took stock and identified next steps:

Immigration

  • Develop a progress report on immigration reforms and meet with Federal Immigration Minister Kenney to: thank the government for efforts to date; ensure industry input so that implementation of the new policies is effective; and seek to address gaps including how to speed up process for employers that are new to hiring TFWs and hence ineligible for the attestation process; and how to extend the ALMO to semi- or low-skilled (NOC C&D) occupations
  • Continue to work with the Provincial Government to improve the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) in adopting best practices of other provincial nominee programs, notably introducing an appeals mechanism where an AINP application has been denied

Domestic sources of labour

  •  Collect information and develop a collective plan of action that may include: advocacy with the Education Ministry; promotion of essential skills.
 Posted by at 11:44 am

Procurement Under the New West Partnership: ACA hears from Lloydminster

 Standard Practices, Uncategorized  Comments Off
May 292012
 

ACA thanks the Lloydminster Construction Association for hosting the ACA Chairman’s Tour May 25th.  The innovative format brought together the ACA Board, Lloydminster Board, Lloydminster members, and numerous partners of the Lloydminster Construction Association, including the Mayor and civic staff, Lloydminster Economic Development, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland College, and a number of school boards.  The dialogue reinforced the desire of all parties to educate stakeholders about procurement of construction services.

As in other communities, ACA heard questions regarding procurement under the New West Partnership.  ACA is determining how to develop a seminar or other educational vehicle to respond to this issue.

 Posted by at 11:43 am

ACA Continues to Seek More Data Before Endorsing the Proposed Return to Work PIR Proposal

 WCB  Comments Off
May 292012
 

ACA thanks the Workers Compensation Board for hosting industry information sessions in Edmonton and Calgary May 23rd and May 24th. ACA supports the desire to incentivise a reduction in costs through greater use of return to work (modified work) programs.

However, questions remain as to whether the proposal creates these incentives for the many employers that do not realize a return on investment through formal enrollment in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program, and / or whose size and circumstances make modified work programs infeasible.   A second key concern is without proper performance measures, it may be impossible to determine if the proposal actually leads to the desired changes.  A number of stakeholders felt year to year improvement should be rewarded, not currently contemplated within the proposal.

The WCB committed to providing more data to stakeholders.

 Posted by at 11:42 am

University of Michigan Creates New Ductile Concrete

 Technology  Comments Off
May 232012
 

The University of Michigan’s school for Environmental and Civil Engineering, in collaboration with the United States Army, has created a concrete that has a compressive strength of 2-3 times conventional high strength concrete, as well as tensile ductility (the ability to be bent) of over 300 times.

Watch the video below for more information.

 Posted by at 8:26 am  Tagged with:

Please take a moment to complete survey on A/E/C Collaboration

 Uncategorized  Comments Off
May 232012
 

ACA members have been invited to participate in a research study which is intended to investigate interface management. This study will be conducted by Nesreen Weshah at the University of Calgary‘s Department of Civil Engineering Project Management Specialization Program. His supervisors are Dr. George Jergeas and Dr. Lynne Cowe Falls.

The research study called “Interfacing Architects, Engineers and Construction Contractors” is intended to investigate and enhance interface management among different parties involved in Alberta’s construction and oil and gas projects, as well as increase the effectiveness throughout the project life cycle.

You can access the survey at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Architects_Engineers_Construction_Contractors

 

 Posted by at 8:21 am

ACA Seeks Industry Input to Occupational Disease Strategy

 Safety  Comments Off
May 222012
 

ACA’s Safety / WCB Committee recently responded to a request from Occupational Health and Safety concerning the proposed occupational disease strategy.  ACA is recommending industry input to ensure an effective, balanced approach, based on Alberta data, application of cost-benefit analysis, and rigorous performance monitoring to compare actual to intended impacts.

For ACA’s response, see here.

 Posted by at 10:08 am

ACA Advocacy Well Underway with New Government

 Government Advocacy  Comments Off
May 152012
 

ACA’s on-going advocacy efforts continue with letters of congratulation to newly appointed Cabinet Ministers.  These letters provide an opportunity to familiarize elected members of the Government with the industry and issues, priorities, and policy recommendations.

Beyond the letters, ACA continues to meet with Ministers on a regular basis to convey industry views on matters of concern.  For example, ACA met May 9th with officials of Human Services Minister Dave Hancock to discuss industry concerns and desire for input on administrative fines related to workplace safety.

 Posted by at 11:59 pm

ACA Recommendations Regarding AB Health Services Contracts and Tender Practices

 Standard Practices  Comments Off
May 152012
 

ACA and Alberta Health Services have been engaged in a dialogue to ensure Alberta Health Services is a satisfied client of our members’ services, and that AHS is a preferred client for our members.  ACA thanks the many members that took significant time to review AHS documents and offer their recommendations.

See the ACA recommendations here.

 Posted by at 11:37 pm

Kees Cusveller Named as one of NAIT’s Top 50 Alumni of the last 50 Years

 Uncategorized  Comments Off
May 152012
 

ACA congratulates former Chairman Kees Cusveller of Graham Construction Calgary for recently being named as one of NAIT’s Top 50 Alumni of the last 50 years. Among his many accomplishments, factors which NAIT recognized include:

  • A decade of service to the Calgary, Alberta, and Canadian Construction Associations, including stints as chief elected officer for both Calgary and ACA.  Kees continues to provide significant leadership today as Chair of ACA’s Institutional Infrastructure Partners Committee and as Canadian’s representative on the Canada Green Building Council.
  • As an industry innovator, including as key author of the Whole Community Development proposal for long term strategic planning of community infrastructure by involving the community with all public infrastructure owners.
  • As an industry educator, serving ACA, Alberta Infrastructure, and the Canadian Construction Association, with lectures on Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), and teaching at University of Calgary for many years.
  • As an industry champion, ensuring ACA’s workforce strategy encompasses managerial and technical occupations in addition to the skilled trades, and promoting the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management program at SAIT.
 Posted by at 11:16 pm

April Workplace Safety Report

 Safety  Comments Off
May 152012
 

As part of ACA’s partnership with Occupational Health and Safety, in an effort to raise industry awareness of current issues, ACA will be reporting on safety incidents.  We hope that more information assists employers as they strive for zero incidents.

See here for the report.

 Posted by at 11:13 pm
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