Filling the Construction Skills Gap
With the rise of technology and automation across industries including construction, there’s been an equal rise in concern about the growing skills gap, the resulting labour supply challenges, and ultimately, the impact of this if not addressed. Ironically, technology is not only part of the problem but also part of the solution.
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Offering programs for career and technical education designed to bring together the range of construction industry needs and the life choices of new entrants, The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) trains and certifies students at every skill level, and bridges the gap between industry and school.
Ell-Rod Holdings Inc.
Ell-Rod Holdings Inc. is a fabricator that specializes in custom architectural millwork for corporate and retail clients. For thirty years, under the leadership of co-owners Rod Finney and Sandy Smith, the company has developed the talent and the relationships that enable it to bring spaces to life.
Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service
In many industries, it’s unusual to receive praise from the competition. This isn’t the case with Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service. Recently acquiring several other respected landscaping companies, Piscataqua is a company admired for being built on respect, honesty, and service.
Pomerleau
Pomerleau, a leading construction company, has not only made a mark with its pan-Canadian projects, but it has also distinguished itself through its vibrant and inclusive culture. By fostering an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and personal growth, Pomerleau has built a strong foundation for employee success.
Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA)
Across Canada, the lack of housing remains a challenge for all levels of government. A key issue during political campaigns such as Toronto’s recent mayoral by-election, inadequate housing supply was one of the few topics which saw all candidates share common ground. As our population keeps growing, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants call Canada home every year, so does the demand for places to live.
Lépine Apartments
Careers in the trades provide specialized knowledge and practical expertise while offering work experience, less time in the classroom, and the opportunity to make a good living.
Republic Developments
Social responsibility is a big deal. Prominent Miami architect Laurinda Spear of Arquitectonica recently said that, if every construction company went into a new area committed to strengthening and empowering society’s most vulnerable people, the world would become a much better place…
Marble Trend
For 40 years, Marble Trend Ltd., Canada’s largest supplier of fine natural and sintered stone and porcelain products, has been bringing the look of luxury to residential and professional spaces. The company sources its stone from around the world and offers its products in the form of slabs, flooring, tiles, and mosaics for both interior and exterior use. The company supplies its products not only to Canadian clients but to U.S. ones as well and can ship anywhere in the world.
Panelized Building Solutions
Panelized Building Solutions (PBS) of Toronto, Ontario was launched in 2013, and has made great strides in growing the business. Vice President of Operations Paul Marchesani started running the company with the founder, Vince Leto, in 2020 and it has seen greater strength and diversification ever since, as well as increased capacity and new builders added to its roster.
Galaxy Builders
A business success for over 30 years, San Antonio-headquartered Galaxy Builders is still clearly anything but complacent. Under the leadership of CEO Neilesh Verma, this prestigious general contractor is active in affordable housing, luxury construction, multifamily and commercial projects, adaptive reuse, renovation, and more.
Salex
Since 1973, Salex, a manufacturer’s representative, distributor, and facilitator of commercial lighting installations and their control systems, has been winning the confidence of clients with thousands of effective, sustainable, and beautiful lighting solutions.
Diverso Energy
Diverso Energy of Toronto, Ontario designs and installs geothermal heating and cooling systems that can reduce both energy costs and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Since the company was profiled by Construction in Focus in 2021, it has been acquired by multi-billion dollar infrastructure fund manager DIF Capital Partners, added new staff, and continued to work on high-profile projects.
Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc.
Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc. has made a name for itself as a premier supplier of structural and architectural Precast Concrete products and solutions for more than 40 years.
Controlled Demolition Inc.
Controlled Demolition Inc. (CDI) has been a global pioneer and leader in explosives demolition for over seventy years. Three generations of the Loizeaux family have steered the company through decades of innovation from their Maryland headquarters, setting world records and felling thousands of structures across six continents.
HVAC Rentals
Known especially in the food and outdoor events industries for having the largest fleet of temperature-controlled transport in Canada, HVAC Rentals does much more than its name suggests. Fast expanding into British Columbia and the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, its offering is as dynamic as the depth of its service is generous.
CMiC
Managing a construction firm today comes with its unique set of challenges. Thankfully, there are software solutions in the market that cater to the business, technical, and operational requirements of these firms.
Worldwide Steel Buildings
Worldwide Steel Buildings is a leader in the fast-growing residential ‘barndominium’ sector. From its base in Peculiar, Missouri, the company designs, engineers, fabricates, and distributes customized steel building kits for garages, agricultural, industrial, recreational structures, and horse arenas, to name a few applications. In recent years, ‘barndo’ kits have become one of the company’s most popular offerings.
Shoring Up the Construction Workforce
It’s no secret that construction companies are struggling to find workers to fill vital job openings. The workforce shortage has officially surpassed half a million in 2023. In order to meet labour demands this year, the construction industry must attract 546,000 new employees on top of the normal hiring pace, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) determined using a proprietary model to estimate the numbers.
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Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) provides a depth and breadth of services, programs, and opportunities for manufacturers. Headquartered in Owen Sound, Ontario, with a national presence, EMC also encourages young people to enter the manufacturing workforce and is always looking for ways to enhance the sector.
Facing Up to What’s Facing Construction
When you think of the world’s largest industry, perhaps agriculture or energy come to mind—but it turns out they’re not the biggest.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
After profiling the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) sustainability efforts in previous articles, Construction in Focus caught up with the organization once again, this time to learn about an exciting new report. State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 discusses the sector’s progress, the current status of data availability, and mechanisms available to reduce the carbon emissions of commercial buildings in the United States—the first report to compile all of this information into a single source.
Cushing Terrell
There is a quote attributed to Wayne Gretzky that you have likely seen in PowerPoint presentations. It is the one about skating to where the puck is going, rather than where it is. In hockey, Gretzky seemed to have a preternatural ability to anticipate the best place to be. In business, Cushing Terrell has that same knack.
Animal Arts Design Studios
When thinking about architecture and building design, we know much time and thought goes into creating sound, healthy, and attractive structures for people, but what about housing for our animal friends? Animal Arts Design Studios specializes exclusively in animal care design, including animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, with a proven track record of success with more than 1,500 projects in 40 U.S. states, Canada, and overseas, ranging in size from 600 to 110,000 square feet.
Enercare
Coming together to address a vital energy need in the market, Enercare and Subterra Renewables are working to decarbonize living in the way we interact in our homes, transitioning away from fossil fuel powered systems to renewable geothermal energy. Finalized in Q4 2023, the partnership of these two Canadian companies represents a first-of-a-kind industry relationship aimed at providing quality products, service, and results to clients, all while helping to reduce our carbon footprints.
