New Homes
New Homes
Building a better construction industry by improving workers' skills
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.
New Homes
10,000 more tradespeople needed by 2020
A number of years ago, the advent of spring meant the beginning of construction season. Those times have long passed and, with the increased population and demand for housing, the commercial growth happening throughout the province and the increased need to improve our infrastructure, construction season is now 12 months a year.
Mike Holmes is a "love him or hate him" kind of guy. His columns and shows bring out a character reminiscent of a personal favourite of mine, Don Cherry. They tend to take the direct route in making a point and are not afraid to offend in doing so.
However, when you get past all of the noise and clutter, you often see that their argument is valid and one worth heeding. Such was the case last week when Holmes's column in the Free Press dealt with the importance of skilled trades.
He dealt with the unfairness of the negative stigma frequently directed at trades from both parents and schools. He talked about the pride in craftsmanship, the constant improvement process and the changing attitude that is starting to prevail.
The respect shown to the art of a tradesperson's work should be equal to that of any other profession. However, Holmes warns of a pending shortfall of skilled labour in the trades. He predicts that by 2020, if things don't change, we could be short by a million skilled tradespeople.
Skilled construction labour is in strong demand across Canada.
Manitoba's requirements are rising more rapidly than most other regions. The recent Construction Sector Council report, Construction Looking Forward 2012-2020, ranked 29 trades and occupations and projected their needs for a 10-year period.
Of the 29 trades, 66 per cent were considered to be limited and employers were going to have to compete to attract needed workers. The remaining 34 per cent were deemed to be of the status that there were not enough workers available to meet employer demand.
It is estimated that the construction workforce will need to increase by 9,100 persons between 2012 and 2020. In this same period, it is estimated that 6,900 workers will be retiring and therefore will need to be replaced.
If current patterns continue, approximately 6,000 new entrants will be available to fill these spots. That will leave us short by 10,000.
A solution is needed. Next week, we will look at possible solutions.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Select the best contractor for your project
LAST week, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association hosted a free seminar on home renovations featuring a panel of experts who not only gave expert presentations but also answered dozens of questions from attendees.
The MHBA RenoMark Renovators Council was created almost 10 years ago to ensure excellence in the renovation industry through standards, a code of ethics and professional development.
Brad Sveinson of Character Homes started the evening by informing the audience of what they need to do to start the renovation process. He talked of the importance of establishing a needs list, a wish list and a realistic budget.
Pam Vernaus from Manitoba Hydro demonstrated how consumers could save a considerable amount of money and access grant and rebate programs by utilizing energy efficient strategies when engaging in a renovation project.
Scott Plett from Steinbach Credit Union outlined how homeowners could use their current assets to access the necessary money to finance their renovation and still live within their means.
Martin Grady from the City of Winnipeg presented information on the zoning and permit process, telling people when they did and didn't need a permit for their renovation, when a zoning variance was required and how to access city services to optimize their renovation project.
As president of the MHBA, I informed the audience of the perils of the underground economy. Even though you may be saving money up front, the risk of liability claims as the prime contractor, not using licensed skilled trades for permit-necessary work and not having any recourse without a contract in the event that something goes wrong, winds up costing everyone considerably more in the long run.
Sveinson then concluded the presentations by telling the audience what to look for in a renovator and how to select the best contractor for your project. He also outlined the merits of hiring a RenoMark renovator and the importance of ensuring your renovator adheres to the principles outlined on their site at www.renomark.ca, including the need for a detailed written contract.
The evening concluded with a lengthy question and answer period. All of the panel participated in this session along with Ralph Oswald from Oswald Construction.
This has proven to be a valuable session provided by the RenoMark Renovators Council members of the MHBA. All attendees left ready to tackle their next renovation project.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Primo condos
If you're a Transcona resident looking for an alternative to buying a well-used resale home, a viable alternative is coming your way.
It's Park City Condominiums, a complex to be located in a mature, quiet neighbourhood on Pandora Street.
"You can't beat the location," said Bill Thiessen, the lead realtor for the project. "It's a nice, quiet area that has all kinds of longtime homeowners surrounding it on adjacent streets. And it's not way into Transcona, so access to the south of the city and downtown is quite quick.
"At the same time, it's close to everything on Regent Avenue -- Kildonan Place, restaurants, shops and services -- and to Lagimodiere and Highway No. 1 if you have a cottage in the Interlake or Whiteshell."
Thiessen said the hallmark of the development, aside from its excellent location, will be the generous size of the units and its quality, inside and out.
"There will eventually be a total of 12 buildings, with six townhouses per building," he said. "Square footage will range from 1,450 sq. ft. to 1,650 sq. ft., with units having two or three bedrooms with one or two baths."
The units will feature an imaginative design that will place the emphasis on maximizing space while providing plenty of style.
"Suites in the middle will have three levels," Thiessen explained. "The main floor will house the living room, dining room, kitchen, a two-piece bath and a storage room. The second will contain two bedrooms, a four-piece bath, laundry room and more storage, and the third floor will be where the master suite and a handy bonus room will be. The master could also be a family room, due in part to the fact that it has access to a balcony."
Suites on the corners of the complex, while smaller (1,450 sq. ft. versus 1,650 sq. ft.), will also come equipped with some novel design features.
"They will have big windows on two sides and will feature a bright, open-concept main floor similar to the one in the larger units," he said. "As well, the second floor will have two large bedrooms, while the third floor will contain a feature I think people will love -- a giant balcony off the den and master suite that will measure in at 10 feet by 22 feet.
"The idea was to provide residents with more outdoor space, which will also be usable in poor weather, as the balconies will be covered."
As for the building's exterior styling, it will feature an arts-and-crafts design theme.
"I think people will really like the look -- it's going to be organic and natural, with roof overhangs and rustic finishes. It's a look that should appeal to everyone, and, more importantly, fit in well with the neighbourhood. It's a complex that will merge well with its surroundings."
Inside, the emphasis will be on quality, Thiessen said.
"The finishing quality is going to be exceptional, with luxury finishes across the board," he said. "The cabinetry, countertops and flooring are going to be top-notch. When you combine that with a large square footage, efficient layouts and a host of thoughtful interior design features, the result is a condominium that you're going to enjoy living in."
One final bonus was incorporated into the design of each unit: a garage.
"Each condominium will come with its own interior garage that also has an extra eight feet of space that can be used for additional storage. I think that's a nice touch that shows the development's designers really tried to do their homework. The units are going to feature a nice blend of user friendliness and style."
Not to mention exceptional value, Thiessen said.
"Overall, the main goal was to provide buyers -- whether they be young couples or empty-nesters -- with extreme value. Prices will range from about $249,000 to $275,000 (depending on size of unit chosen), and condominium fees will be very reasonable at $125 to $150," he said. "The big thing, though, is that buyers can expect great quality. The goal was to make these condominiums as quiet as a single-family home, and with the same style and space, too. They're a real alternative to buying a 1950s-vintage home."
For more information on Park City Condominiums, call RE/MAX Performance Realty's Bill Thiessen at 946-5638.
lewys@mts.net