In January 2009, five partners with a commitment to strengthen the skills of the province's construction-sector workforce joined together to form the Manitoba Construction Sector Council.
With funding from the governments of Manitoba and Canada, the MCSC's mandate is to address the human resource needs of Manitoba's construction industry. The council exists to promote the benefits of working in construction and to provide opportunities throughout the industry to upgrade skills.
The MCSC's founding members are some heavy-hitters in the industry. The Manitoba Home Builders' Association, the Winnipeg Construction Association, the Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council, the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba and the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association represent upwards of 1,600 member companies and 14 building trades unions representing more than 5,000 members.
Ensuring the industry's workforce keeps up with Manitoba's huge skills and labour demands requires a multi-faceted strategy. The MCSC has a three-pronged approach to labour-force development: a focus on professional skills development for the industry's current workforce; outreach into the community through high schools and career expos to promote the industry to the workforce of tomorrow; and through projects designed to link under-represented groups to employment in the industry.
MCSC offers a range of training to construction workers. One program in particular, Building Supervisors for Tomorrow, helps prepare future leaders. This program trains individuals who want to advance to supervisory positions and manage a safe and productive construction worksite. In 2011-2012, the MCSC provided training to more than 680 individuals.
Right now, the construction industry in Manitoba is full of opportunity, with plenty of well-paying jobs, and this trend will continue well into the future. The MCSC wants young people to make construction their career of choice.
This is the message the MCSC takes to many high schools visited each year. Whether through post-secondary education, apprenticeship or on-the-job training, the doors to a successful career in the industry are wide open.
Like Manitoba itself, the construction industry is embracing diversity. Its profile is changing to include more women, aboriginals and immigrants. Breaking down the old industry stereotypes is an important part of the work of the MCSC.
From the people who build the houses, buildings, roads and bridges to the engineers and architects who envision and design them, the construction industry presents great opportunity for a fulfilling career.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
