2021 NAIT Construction Engineering Technology Student Club Career Book

2020

CAREER HANDBOOK CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

CONTENTS 3

President’s Address

4

Meet The Team

6

Program Overview

7

Semester Breakdown

8

2020 Events

11

2019 Events

12

What Companies Are Doing To Move Through COVID-19

13

15 Online Study Tips

14

Top 10 Construction Trends To Watch in 2021

15

Staying Connected Through Extraordinary Circumstances

16

Where Are They Now? Rhys St. Jean Cailyn Bartel Jared Jorgensen Scott Solez Jennifer Kinzer

27

Where Are The Instructors?

Stock images used are provided by freepik.com

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

The 2020-2021 career handbook has been created and published by the Construction Engineering Technology Student Club (CETSC) on behalf of our student body. The purpose of the career handbook is to promote the program to the construction industry, while providing resources for students to aid in the search for a job. The career handbook is comprised of academic, charitable, and social aspects of our program as well as an interactive activity that will have you wondering where to find our instructors now that we are online.

The creation of this career handbook would not be possible without our generous industry sponsors and student volunteers. As this year was the first in Construction Engineering Technology (Con. Eng. Tech.) history to be offered online, our class had the challenging task of raising funds, organizing food drives, among other student run activities through an online platform. While this came as a challenge to everyone involved, our class was able to rise to the occasion and perform with excellence. I would personally like to thank the students involved in the student club who dedicated their time and energy to creating a powerful legacy as the first group of fully online graduates.

On behalf of the student body, we would like to thank all our industry members who have and continue to support our program. Industry support has been unmatched and provides excellent engagement with both first and second year students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Evident throughout the school year; many leaders set valuable time aside to meet with our classes and provide insight into our futures at Con. Eng. Tech. graduates.

Nikolas Blomberg President, CETSC 2020-2021 3

MEET THE TEAM The biggest change in the club was the atmosphere.

When the pandemic started, we had to quickly transition to online learning which was a difficult adjustment.

It was also challenging to not be able to host club activities such as bridge building. However, we have managed to come up with other ways of connecting to students through means of weekly trivias and promotions for our club clothing, and masks through social media. We have also been able to collaborate with industry through events such as the food drive.

We are beyond excited to have had the opportunity to engage more with industry through events. All the generous donations have not only contributed to but are also supporting a good cause through the local Edmonton food bank. We would also like to thank all the guest speakers and panel representatives that took the time out of their busy schedules to help answer

some of our questions during such an uncertain time. This has been a great way to gain insight and new perspectives on what potential employers will be looking for once we get into the industry.

We would also like to give a huge thank you to all the instructors of this program that have done so much for this club and the students this past year. Their contributions to our club and the support shown by their participation in the weekly trivia was a strong motivator during these turbulent times. The number of hours being put in on the side to support us in our program and going above and beyond to answer questions on teams for any technical issues or just a question about units, sometimes at rather irregular times at night, was truly inspirational. This has been an enormous help to us students and it is greatly appreciated. Keep up the amazing work.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Tye Malinowski VP Finance 4

Christopher Durnan VP Events

Shane Brady Special Events Coordinator Shane was a Special Events Coordinator who organized the food drive event. Read more about it on page 8!

Zach Hudson Event Coordinator Zach was an Events Coordinator who helped with the procurement, sale, and distribution of club clothing.

Janeen Bereti-Moody Event Coordinator Janeen was an Events Coordinator for the student club and wrote the 15 Online Study Tips article, found on page 11.

Anna Lee Graphic Designer Anna served as the Graphic Designer for the CETSC. She designed the 2019 and 2020 career handbook.

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW Construction Engineering Technology is a two-year program offered at NAIT. The Con. Eng. Tech. program prepares students for a variety of positions in the construction industry, including construction project management, estimating, contract administration, business development, construction management and cost control. Successful graduates of this program have a strong understanding of many aspects of general contracting and the construction process.

Students are eligible to join the Construction Engineering Technology Student Club. Members of the CETSC plan, organize, and execute both charity and fundraising events. This gives an opportunity to give back to the community, collaborate with team members, and exhibit leadership skills.

Major Skills Acquired in the Program

- Construction project planning, scheduling, and management

- Quantity take-off, estimating, and tendering

- Contract administration, contract law, and cost control

- Computer applications in construction including Revit, MS Project, and Microsoft Office

- Knowledge of the construction industry materials, products, and building systems

- Technical drawing reading, sketching of details, site surveying, and specification interpretation

- Supervision and construction safety

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SEMESTER BREAKDOWN

Typical Positions Typical employers for Con. Eng. Tech. graduates are not limited to construction firms. Graduates are also employed by government agencies, material manufacturers and suppliers, developers, and cost consultants. Companies that have no connection with the construction industry may also hire Con. Eng. Tech. graduates to manage the building of their own facilities.

Graduates are typically hired into entry level positions, such as the ones listed below. More experienced graduates may be hired in a supervisory role such as superintendents or project managers. They may even go on to starting their own construction company.

- Project Coordinator - Project Manager - Project Scheduler - Project Planner - Estimator - Safety Coordinator

MATH1120 CSTN1111 CSTN1131 CSTN1132 CSTN1141 ENGL1238

MATH1204 CSTN1210 CSTN1245 CSTN1250 CSTN1270 CSTN1264

CSTN2333 CSTN2315 CSTN2353 CSTN2370 CSTN2380 CSTN2395

- Superintendent - Contract Administrator - Purchaser - Equipment Manager

Term 2

Construction Mathematics Engineering Mechanics II Building Science Project Planning and Scheduling Estimating I: Quantity Survey Organizational Behaviour

Soil Mechanics and Foundations Wood and Steel Structures Construction Equipment Management Estimating II: Direct Cost Estimates Construction Contract Documents Construction Project Management

Term 4

- Sub-Trade Coordinator - Safety Code Officer

Technical Mathematics Engineering Mechanics I Small Buildings Building Products and Materials Drawing Interpretation Effective Comunications

Term 3

- Cost Control Manager - Project / Field Engineer

Term 1

OHSC2410 CSTN2415 CSTN2421 CSTN2429 CSTN2470 CSTN2490

Construction Safety Concrete Structures Advanced Technologies and BIM Construction Design Conceptual Estimates and Design Costs Finance and Cost Control

- Quality Coordinator - Business Developer - Owners Agent

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2020 EVENTS Food Drive Planning events in this environment have come with its obvious challenges. At the beginning of this school year, we extensively investigated the feasibility of holding an in-person event. While it is necessary for our schooling to be held virtually this year, it has presented challenges for a program that strives to mirror such a social industry.

However, when planning and organizing a social event in today’s pandemic world, one must be cognizant of ever-evolving Alberta Health Services guidelines and recommendations. One must prepare for reduced interest in any in-person events due to the inherent risk. So, as we sought out venues and acceptable event guidelines, we were also racing these expanding government restrictions designed to protect the public from the pandemic’s worsening condition.

Providing for the Edmonton Food Bank in the way that we did could not have been accomplished without the help of all the industry participants and individuals who elected to participate. By working together and through our donations, we were able to help many people facing food insecurity in the city and families in need during the holiday season.

Thank you for participating in the NAIT CETSC Industry Food Drive. We were able to raise a total of just over 3400 lbs. of food and raise $450 towards the Edmonton Food Bank. The following list was received from the Edmonton Food Bank, and is in descending order of donation amount: 1. Fillmore Construction – 1736 lbs.

2. A&H Steel – 821 lbs. & $250 3. EllisDon – 530 lbs.

4. Ledcor – 189 lbs.

5. Leslie Kozma – 133 lbs.

6. PCL Construction – $200

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I was given the chance to work alongside other students within the club executives who possessed drive and passion, which was clear by the effort that was put into our work and the results we achieved. Being able to give back to the community through the food drive, and to work toward the benefit the student body of our program through our student club, especially through the constraints and uncertainty of the pandemic proved to be a rewarding experience.

“

“

Involvement at NAIT over and above the curriculum was a goal of mine since day one of the program, as reaching out beyond familiarity has always provided me with the opportunity of valuable experience I can carry into the future and to meet other individuals who are likeminded.

Fillmore Construction is built out of NAIT graduates with over half of our office staff and site superintendents graduating from NAIT programs.

“The Construction Engineering Technology program at NAIT has been the lifeblood of the construction industry in Alberta through generations of graduates from the program. Fillmore construction will continue to support and hire out of the program which trains and develops proven talent ready for entry into our industry.”

Brian Drew, Vice President Operations, NAIT CET Graduate 2006

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BUILDERS OF CAREERS Clark Builders’ purpose is to enrich the lives of the people who work with us, creating a culture where you can fulfill your aspirations for growth and development. We believe that through integrity, passion, and hard work, we can build better communities and exceptional careers.

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2019 EVENTS Bridge Building Long before COVID-19 prevented us from leaving the house, we used to gather in groups, not only groups but groups of groups. As the pandemic shut down social activities all over the country, we had to postpone our annual Bridge Building event for the first time in 47 years. Here are some of the favourite memories that this year’s group of graduates got to share.

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WHAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ARE DOING TO MOVE THROUGH COVID-19

Source: https://home.kpmg/ca/en/home/insights/2020/06/new-reality.html

Canada has made real progress in the fight against COVID-19. Throughout this difficult time individuals, organizations and governments alike have demonstrated their resilience, agility and compassion. We have banded together, worked collaboratively (often virtually) and made it to a point where society and businesses are beginning to slowly and safely reopen.

But the impact of this pandemic is far from over. It has forever changed the way we interact, transact and operate. Now we must all look forward and use this as an opportunity to truly reimagine the way we live and work to build a better reality for all of us.

An opportunity for individuals, businesses, industries, governments and communities to define their own new reality. To rethink both how we care for one another, how we work and how we play. To invest in our future and embrace new ways of thinking and doing. To restructure and reshape, for the better.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested us as a society and required bold and decisive action. We need this same mindset as we move forward. We need to think big, be bold and make the difference we want to see.

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Supporting CET students and graduates - Welcome to the field!

15 ONLINE STUDY TIPS 1.

Create a quiet area just for school and studying.

2.

Set a schedule of when you will be doing your studying and treat that time like you are at work.

3.

Treat your online classes as if you physically need to be in class.

4.

Morning routines can be your friend. Get up about an hour before your first class, get ready, eat a healthy breakfast, do some stretches, and have time for a bit of review before your class starts.

5.

For every hour that you are sitting, you should get up and move around for 10 minutes to get the blooding flowing and help keep you active.

6.

Every night before going to bed go onto Moodle and check what is needed for the next days class.

7.

When you get an assignment, the first thing you should do is jot down when the due date is in your calendar.

8.

For each assignment write down the requirements of the assignment and when instructor help times would be taking place

9.

For contacting your instructors, have a running “Instructor Questionnaire” going, questions that you run into while you are going your homework.

10.

On the Instructor Questionnaire, write down how each one of your instructors would like to be contacted for help sessions and proper e-mail format.

11.

Create a study plan and ask yourself: What time am I most alert to be studying?

What topic will I be studying during these times?

What homework assignments do I need to get done first? e. Is my study area free from distractions? a. b. c. d.

12.

It is always a better idea to do the homework you are not so sure about done first. This allows you to have time for instructor questions, help sessions and prevents you from rushing to get the assignment done in time.

13.

Having a second monitor is helpful. You can have multiple documents up on one monitor while having the class video chat up on the other monitor. a. You can visit NAIT Student Learning Services and they may be able to help you get funding for a second monitor if you cannot afford one. https://nait.service-now.com/ltc_ls b. You can also hook up an older TV to your computer. Ask NAIT Technology Support to help you set this up. https://www.nait.ca/nait/ contact/technology-support

14.

If music helps you study, then have music playing in the background but low enough so that you can still hear the class and that the online participants don’t hear it when it is your turn to talk.

15.

If you can’t find a quiet area, think of getting yourself noise cancelling headphones.

Written by: Janeen Bereti-Moody

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TOP 10 CONSTRUCTION TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2021 Rhetoric or reality: Will infrastructure investment dollars flow in time? Billions of dollars have been earmarked through Infrastructure Canada’s Investing in Canada Plan, yet there are still billions that are uncommitted since 2018. With a severely hard-hit economy, will the feds, provinces and municipalities be able to set aside politics and get funds flowing, and people working? Mixing infrastructure stimulus with unrelated social policy goals will delay projects, interfering with economic recovery and getting people back to work.

Improved hygiene standards are here to stay. While COVID-19 has been devastating in so many ways, one positive outcome is the increased hygiene on job sites across Canada. Improved handwashing and bathroom facilities have addressed some of the downsides of working on job sites and may result in reduced spread of other common germs, like colds and flus.

Private sector stalls. Investor confidence has taken a beating in the commercial sector, as some businesses promise to significantly reduce their footprints. And, while the square foot per office worker was already declining, will it need to increase again to accommodate a smaller workforce, while respecting physical distancing? Project tendering began to slow down in the third quarter of 2020, which will have a significant impact on the design and engineering community first, followed by the construction industry late next year, unless this gap is filled with government work or a return to private sector investor confidence.

Workforce shortage worsens. The CCA has advocated and continues to advocate for a steady, flexible and dedicated commitment to infrastructure investment.

With governments slow to launch economic stimulus in the form of infrastructure investment, placements

for apprentices are most at risk. This will sharpen the already significant shortfall in skilled workers, such that recovery will be slower. Skilled tradespeople simply cannot be created overnight.

Risky business. Construction firms have long shouldered the majority of project risk. Throughout COVID-19, contractors took a leap of faith that owners would reimburse extraordinary costs related to COVID-19. While some owners have been flexible and fair, others have not. P3 models, seen as a panacea for large infrastructure projects, have not been as well received by contractors who have been charged with a disproportionate share of the risk. While vaccines may be on the horizon, COVID-19’s continued impact, lower investor confidence and contractors burning through their backlog could mean 2021 could be a make or break year for many. The small and medium-sized contractors who carry much of the upfront costs of projects are most at risk.

Digital acceleration. The consumer appetite for digital commerce radically increased during the shutdowns, altering business priorities and operations. E-commerce activities advanced 10 years in three months, according to a report by the McKinsey Institute. The construction industry also appreciated the value of connecting through technology during the pandemic, complying with physical distancing while managing projects remotely. The added benefit has been improved data on projects, the modernization of procurement, such as e-ticketing in the cement industry and a demand for permitting to go digital.

14 Source: https://www.on-sitemag.com/features/top-10-canadian-construction-trends-to-watch-in-2021/

STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Connecting people and information across multiple locations has long been a primary focus of technology in construction. Consequently, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused contractors to shut down their offices and bar nonessential visitors from job sites, many already had the tools in place to adapt. In some cases, it was a matter of scaling up capacity or accelerating existing initiatives.

“We were in the early stages of an Office 365 Teams proof of concept before COVID-19 hit but we were able to quickly enable it for the entire company and make the software available from a self-service website,” says Melanie Schmahl, manager of Technology Solutions and Architecture with PCL Construction.

Remote traffic has roughly doubled on Bird Construction’s Citrix environment with no issues.

Bird has also accelerated its Teams rollout to support collaboration requirements. “It’s really interesting to show how quickly things can be rolled out when people really need the tool,” says Tim Swanson, Bird’s vicepresident of IT. At Stuart Olson, an environmental reduction project was fast-tracked. “We had started the process of using online forms and training platforms to reduce our carbon footprint, but this was expedited because of our current situation of trying to reduce the amount of paper sharing amongst people to reduce exposure,” says Jessica McCaughey, the company’s regional safety manager for Alberta and Saskatchewan.

One of the biggest technical constraints contractors are facing during the pandemic might be home internet access. With the kids at home attending Google Classroom or watching Netflix, there may not be enough bandwidth left to hop into a scheduled video call. In some regions, especially in rural settings, users may not even have high-speed internet access.

Keeping people connected, however, is proving to be as much about psychology as it is about technology.

“Team communication can be a challenge,” Schmahl says, “and it is important to make the effort to continue

to communicate as you would working in the office. If you manage a large team, efforts need to be made to reach out to all team members. It’s not as easy as just walking by their desk to say good morning.”

Preventing social isolation is another concern. “We do have a lot of people that are social distancing alone, and don’t have the ability to get out,” McCaughey says. “We understand the need to stay connected and continue the flow of communication, even when it’s not work-related. Every weekend, in one of our regions, we actually do what’s called a social, where everyone gets together for a massive video call.”

Video can also add a personal touch to a call that might otherwise be strictly business, and provides an unusual opportunity for people to get to know each other better.

“We’re encouraging people to turn on their cameras and share a little bit about their home work environment and their personal lives,” Swanson says. “So you can share something personal — your pets, your children, your hobbies, that sort of thing. That’s been really interesting.”

Too many group calls, however, can be tiring. “People are spending a lot of time on group phone or video calls,” says Enrico Scirocco, director of Enterprise Tech Solutions at EllisDon. “So lately, I’ve been trying to scale that back a bit with my team and have more one-on-one conversations with people.”

While the upheaval to the work environment has been stressful in many ways, it will likely lead to some long term improvements, such as a more consistent effort to keep lines of communication open amongst coworkers.

“I believe we sometimes take for granted that when we’re in an office setting, we’re constantly communicating all the time. But that may not actually be so,” McCaughey says. “As a team, in some cases, we’ve had more gatherings and touch points than we would if we were in the office.”

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Source: https://www.on-sitemag.com/features/staying-connected-through-extraordinary-circumstances/

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Could you provide us with a breakdown of your career path since graduation?

Prior to graduating I was hired as a project coordinator with Carlson Construction Ltd. Within 18 months of employment, I was promoted to senior project coordinator and then promoted to project manager two years later. Fast forward 3.5 years and I have been with the same company for 7 years. As for continuing education, I finished the remaining educational courses required to obtain my NCSO designation thru the ACSA between 3rd & 4th semester so that I had more to offer as a new grad. Once I had the required work experience, I then obtained my C.E.T. designation.

How has what you learned in the program related to your work in the industry?

The technical skills I developed at NAIT have been instrumental in my day-to-day tasks as a coordinator and a project manager. From scheduling with Microsoft Project, putting together estimates with Microsoft Excel, and reading drawings, the training I received in these areas is used daily.

What are some of your career highlights at this point?

Getting hired by the same client to keep building their projects is always a great feeling. I also love learning new ways to build and to apply my previous experience as a journeyman carpenter. I am fortunate this early in my career to have built pre-eng buildings, tilt-up, conventional steel, precast, wood frame, renovations, plaza deck work, TI’s, towers, etc.

Rhys St. Jean Project Manager Carlson Construction

What advice would you give to a graduating student?

Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone can and will make mistakes. It is how you go about fixing them that makes the difference. Own it, fix it, don’t make the same mistake twice. Learn from your mistakes and especially those of others!

What skill would you like to see the next generation bring to the construction industry?

Most think that construction is all bricks & sticks, but people skills (soft skills) go a long way in this industry.

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If your soft skills need work, then take some courses or read some books (Dale Carnegie is a good place to start). Take advantage of networking opportunities and join the YBG (Young Builder’s Group). You will develop your skills and the industry will benefit – win-win.

What are some of the traits the Con. Eng. Tech. program helped you build upon? And how have they been advantageous?

There will always be opportunities for those who have passion, drive, and are willing to learn. If potential employers can see these qualities, then you have set yourself apart from other graduates. You will also have a better chance gaining employment if you apply early I applied in December and was hired in January.

I always considered myself respectful of others, but it was not until attending the CET program that I realized my actions could show a different side of respectfulness as well. By practicing being on time and being prepared for class I was respecting my classmate’s and instructor’s time, and in doing so I gained their respect as well. It sounds very simple and it really is, but then again if you are late and unprepared for a meeting you can easily leave a negative first impression. Always put your best foot forward and be respectful of other people’s time.

What is one of your favourite projects that you have worked on?

Have you kept in contact with other graduates from your year?

Any project with a construction management or design-build contract is a good start, especially when I was involved at the onset. Getting to value engineer and help the client achieve their goals is a lot of fun and equally rewarding. Not to mention, standing the walls of a two-storey 27,000 sf tilt-up building in 3 days with a 350-ton mobile crane was fun too.

I left NAIT with a handful of friends that I am still close with 7 years later. There are many more that I enjoy catching up with at networking events, tender closes, jobsites, and over the phone. Some graduates from my class are working with general contractors, subtrades, suppliers, consultants, manufacturers, etc. in positions such as project coordinator, project manager, estimator, superintendent, etc. The sky is the limit!

What are the job opportunities looking like for summer students and graduates?

CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

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DESIGN BUILDERS

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GENERAL CONTRACTORS

COMMERCIAL l LIGHT INDUSTRIAL l TENANT IMPROVEMENT l INDUSTRIAL

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What are some of your day to day responsibilities?

In my current role as a Project Manager my responsibilities include interfacing with the client, subcontractors and my construction team, managing costs and ensuring costs are being coded correctly, executing purchase orders and subcontract agreements, calculating productivity, estimating and change management as well as mentoring and leading my team.

How has what you learned in the program related to your work in the industry?

The program provides very practical information which applies to all aspects of construction. Everything from analyzing data, presenting reports to peers, Estimating for Change Management, to understanding your contractual obligations through Contract Law, I found everything was relevant even in a small way, maybe not all at once, but piece by piece.

What are some of your career highlights at this point?

I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and industries from mining to minor interior renovations within the energy sector as a Project Coordinator for a Contractor as well as being an Independent Contractor to an Owner.

In your opinion what is the most important trait a Con. Eng. Tech. graduate should possess?

There are quite a few things which a graduate should possess but I believe being dependable speaks volumes as it’s realized by everyone around you including your clients, your team, your employer and yourself.

Cailyn Bartel Project Manager OCL Group Inc.

What advice would you give to a graduating student?

Don’t be afraid to try something new or accept a position which you might think is outside of your knowledge base or you may not like. You have proven that you are able to learn, so don’t stop and the more knowledge you have the more rounded you will be.

How has attending NAIT helped you excel in the workforce?

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The program provides practical knowledge which is constantly working with the industry to ensure it is current, this gave a sense of comfort to my employers knowing I was taught industry standards from an accredited program and a leading technical school, it gave me the same type of confidence.

Could you provide us with a breakdown of your career path since graduation?

After graduating I obtained a position with a heavy civil/mining company in the oilsands as a Project Coordinator, a Field Leadhand for small projects team and then the Technical Services Lead. The project was mining overburden to expose oilsands deposits and constructing a tailings dyke with the overburden. After about 6 years, I had moved onto a civil construction company as a Junior Project Manager where I gained experience in midstream oil and gas projects such as pump stations and refineries. As the economy changed, the company expanded their work scopes into municipal undergrounds such as water and sewer where I gained experience working for the public sector. I was then provided the opportunity to have my own business where I worked as an independent contractor on the Owner’s side, a large oil company, where I planned, managed and worked with the Contractor to construct SAGD well pads and lease roads. When the opportunity ended, I gained employment as a civil Project Manager for a Contractor with primarily mechanical experience in oil and gas. I completed the project I was brought

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on for and was then placed as a Project Manager for midstream mechanical contracts where I continue to gain mechanical knowledge and brownfield experience.

What skill would you like to see the next generation bring to the construction industry?

Though the knowledge provided from the program is extremely important, soft skills take personal practice and can provide a true sense of ease in your day to day. The construction industry is a very social work environment where you are constantly interacting with a variety of personalities, experiences and walks of life, you need to understand how to communicate and work with all of them for a successful project.

What does the future of the industry look like from your perspective?

This past year has been trying for all but the industry really didn’t slow down, budgets were reallocated and prioritized but the work didn’t stop. It’s great to see how innovative the industry is and adaptable to an ever changing economy, it’s quite positive.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What are some of your day to day responsibilities?

As a Project Manager, I am responsible for scheduling my scope for a larger Project Team where we have divided various scopes of work amongst ourselves to manage the corresponding Trade Partners. I am also responsible for obtaining approvals on various building material samples & layouts, managing their subcontract and any invoicing or change pricing. Furthermore, participating in or facilitating collaborative meetings between the Trade Partners and Consultants or Client.

While solving RFI’s and clearing any project constraints that may exist, I also have a responsibility to partake in weekly safety meetings and site inspections to ensure that the workplace is free of any safety hazards that may exist for the workers or any site visitors.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your job?

COVID-19 has certainly impacted the way we are able to communicate & collaborate as a Team. There have been periods of time where most of our on-site Management staff was working from home and all of the in-person meetings we were used to having could no longer take place. We were forced to adapt and learn to meet virtually on a much more frequent basis since ‘casual conversations’ on the jobsite quickly became a thing of the past.

How has what you learned in the program related to your work in the industry?

Jared Jorgenson Project Manager Clark Builders

Several of the CET courses that I took directly relate to my field of work. Back when I took the program, there was a class that was focused largely on communication skills. I use these skills every day whether it be with our Trade Partners, Clients or Consulting Teams to appropriately convey information. There was also an estimating class which is a great skill to have since I am often doing my own take-offs of construction material or else writing-up scopes of work for specific tender documents. Another class that was offered was Concrete Foundations, which provides the basics of essentially all things concrete. As most of the projects I have been on involve some type of concrete work, I was able to have a baseline understanding of the project requirements and then learn more as I continued with each job.

What are some of the traits the Con. Eng. Tech. program helped you build upon? And how have they been advantageous?

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One of the traits that the CET Program helped us build on naturally was our ability to collaborate and work together in teams. Many of the assignments that were given

involved getting into groups to divide up the workload and rely on each other to fulfill their part. In the workforce, this same logic applies, as you need to rely on all your team members to look after their scope of work in order to reach the ultimate end goal; which in this case, would be project completion.

Consultants to meet up with you at the jobsite or office, or go meet with them at a location of their choice. The Construction Industry is a tight-knit community and there is a very high probability that you will cross paths with the same peers on many occasions throughout your career.

What positions have you filled in your career?

What is one of your favourite projects that you have worked on?

After graduating from the CET Program in 2014, I began my career working as a Project Coordinator on a few larger jobs in Edmonton. After successfully completing these jobs as part of a larger Project Team, I was promoted to a Project Manager with the same General Contractor and given several smaller projects in the Greater Edmonton area to look after. As mentioned earlier, I am now situated on another larger Project Team, with a recent CET Graduate working alongside me helping manage my scopes of work.

What advice would you give to a graduating student?

If you know what direction you would like to take in your career path, don’t be afraid to vocalize it. If you let your employer / potential employer know what your ambitions are, they can help find the best placement for you within their organization. You may also not yet know what your 2-5 year goals are, which is OK too!

In that case, don’t be afraid of trying new things and gain some experience in various areas of work. You never know what (or who) might grab your interest if an opportunity presents itself.

What skill would you like to see the next generation bring to the construction industry?

The Construction Industry is continually moving towards a more virtual, technology-based way of operating projects. After familiarizing oneself with some of the technological advancements that exist, most people quickly begin to see many of the benefits that can be claimed, especially while trying to navigate through COVID-19. While this not necessarily a bad thing, there are far less in-person meetings or interactions which can negatively influence your ability to create & grow the working relationships between you and your construction peers. Being able to obtain the ‘people skills’ adds intangible value for your career growth, so you might need to get creative on how to do this amidst a pandemic! Don’t ever be shy to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone.

Use your emails or software programs to summarize a conversation instead of drive the conversation. When appropriate to do so, invite your Trade Partners and

Hands down, my favourite project that I have been a part of was my first: The NAIT Centre of Applied Technologies Building (Feltham Centre). Immediately after graduating from NAIT, I found myself back at the campus working on the iconic building that many of you would have attended while going through the CET Program. It was such a unique experience to be able to give back to the NAIT Institution and showcase the skills I had just acquired through one of their offered programs. I got the opportunity to take several of the Program Staff & Students on tours of what would soon be their new classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories and office space during the course of construction. I will on occasion find myself walking through the main atrium of the building reminiscing on the many memories and learning experiences that were made there.

What are the job opportunities looking like for summer students and graduates?

There are always opportunities for employment in the construction industry. The Spring and Summer months are naturally some of the busiest seasons for construction projects to get started and staffed.

Unfortunately, this year looked different than usual.

Companies were not presented with the pleasure to meet many of the CET students at the meet & greet events typically hosted through NAIT and therefore did not have the opportunity to learn about the upcoming graduates. Going forward, I encourage you all to reach out to the industry partners that you would be interested in working with whether that is in person or virtually so we can get to know you and help you begin an incredible career.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What are some of your day to day responsibilities?

My day to day involves the mentoring and training of the estimating team. As well as reviewing potential opportunities, reviewing estimates, reviewing budget reports, closing tenders, and implementing new processes. Managing the Team involves checking up on productivity of the department, health of secured projects, reviewing timesheets, and assigning projects to estimators, as well as coordinating and scheduling the tasks for the department.

What positions have you filled in your career?

Before attending the NAIT CET program, I was a window and door installer as well as a construction labourer.

After attending NAIT, I began working as an entry level estimator. I then went on to the intermediate and senior levels of estimating, and now I manage the estimating department.

What are some of your career highlights at this point?

Highlights of my career include: 1. Seeing the development, improvement, and growth of team members.

2. Winning exciting projects to build – some examples include the Corpus Christi K-9 Catholic School in Edmonton, and the Performing Arts Venue in Hinton.

Scott Solez Estimating Manager JEN COL Construction

3. Learning about and being involved in strategic business planning.

4. Becoming one of the first group of 6 to be a part of the JEN COL ownership group.

What was your favourite moment at NAIT during your time here?

There were many enjoyable moments during my time at NAIT. Top of the list for me would be realizing at the end of it all how much we learned in such a short time.

The Halloween party on the Edmonton queen tops the list as well.

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What are some of the traits the Con. Eng. Tech. program helped you build upon? And how have they been advantageous?

Many traits were built upon, these include perseverance through a difficult workload, consistency through many assignments and exams, and teamwork through group projects. These are all very advantageous for a career in industry, as hard work, consistency, and collaboration are huge factors in success.

What skill would you like to see the next generation bring to the construction industry?

People skills. Construction is all about people and working together. Effectively collaborating in teams, and building strong relationships mark the path of success.

Could you please define any major contributors to your success in the industry?

important to give back and help others grow in their careers.

What does the future of the industry look like from your perspective?

The future of the industry from my perspective is heavy on new technology, new software, new ways to build.

Construction is always adapting, we are already seeing 3D printed buildings, Building information Modelling, and Artificial Intelligence being used in the construction process.

What are the job opportunities looking like for summer students and graduates?

At JEN COL, we believe in the importance developing new talent. We are always on the look out for candidates that have the ambition, skill, and values for a good fit within our culture.

The main contributor to my success is having exceptional mentors. I am a huge proponent of mentoring, it is so

The sky’s the limit Turner & Townsend is the program, project, and cost management consultancy behind the creation, operation and delivery of the world’s largest and most notable projects. Advising a prestigious roster of clients across infrastructure, natural resources and real estate, our professionals aim high and deliver exceptional outcomes.

Are you ready to reach for the skies?

Join our team: www.turnerandtownsend.com/careers 23

making the difference

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What are some of your day to day responsibilities?

As a project manager I am currently engaged as a construction consultant for a proposed City of Edmonton recreational centre. My current responsibilities include the preparation of value engineering options, developing pre-construction budgets, assisting with design development, creating the construction schedule, constructability reviews, project execution planning, and tender document development. Depending on the stage of the project, I manage the construction process from start to finish which includes development of safety and quality plans, material & equipment procurement, trade contractor management, scheduling, costing & forecasting, production analysis, shop drawing and submittal control, change management, progress billings, deficiency & warranty completion and turnover & commissioning coordination. Typically, I chair and organize project start-up meetings, trade meetings, owner/consultant meetings and team meetings. As a project manager it is vital to maintain excellent relationships with project stakeholders including owner, consultants and trade contractors. I am also very involved with supervising, mentoring, coaching and training project personnel.

Could you provide us with a breakdown of your career path since graduation?

Jennifer Kinzer Project Manager PCL Construction Management Inc.

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After graduation I started out as a labourer, where I gained valuable field experience. Within 6 months, I accepted a Scheduler/Project Coordinator position with EllisDon. I worked with EllisDon for almost 6 years on the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute project as well as other related projects, pursuits and preconstruction activities. During this time, I was promoted to Project Manager. For the past 12 years I have been a Project Manager with PCL Construction. I have worked on many different projects of varying size and complexity from parking lots, underground tunnels, hospitals, clinics, recreation facilities, arenas and retail stores. Some of the projects I have worked on include the Walter C. Mackenzie NMR Shielding Project - University of Alberta, Edmonton TEC South (KAYE) Clinic, Cabela’s North Edmonton Retail Centre, Rogers Place, Edmonton Lab Hub and the Lewis Farms Park and Recreation Facility. It’s amazing how in 18 years you can build a career with only just a few projects. During my time with PCL, I also had two

amazing children. Balancing motherhood and a demanding career with so many moving parts has been quite challenging, but I am determined to make it work.

What are some of your career highlights at this point?

There are many things that I am proud of through my career and many of those opportunities have been provided to me by PCL and the people that I have worked with. I am proud of the success of my colleagues and people that I have grown with and whom I have had the pleasure to have helped grow along the way. Working on Rogers Place from pre-construction to close-out stands out for me. It was a once in a lifetime project that is part of Edmonton’s history. Rogers Place is a transformative world-class entertainment venue that outmatches all other facilities of its kind. From the start of construction, it was imperative to the client that the building be ready for the start of the 2016/17 NHL and WHL hockey seasons. It was exciting to be a part of the project team that met this goal and achieved success by delivering the 1.1-million-square-foot facility in 30 months, on time and on budget, with every worker returning home safely at the end of each day.

Being presented with team jerseys by Bob Nicholson and other staff members in the Oilers dressing room at the end of the project was a memorable highlight.

What are some of the traits the Con. Eng. Tech. program helped you build upon? And how have they been advantageous?

Some of the traits that the CET program helped me build upon include effective leadership and communication. I realized over the years that we need to be able to communicate in a variety of ways to a wide range of people across diverse roles. The quality and effectiveness of communication improves your relationships with others and ultimately helps you achieve a collective goal with an individual or group. The CET program taught me learning agility and the drive to excel and problem solve in unfamiliar circumstances. There were many things that were new to me when I started in the program and it taught me tenacity through practice, effort and experience.

There are many new challenges that we face daily and we come across many things that we haven’t experienced.

We need to have the ability to problem solve, adapt and pivot and be able to work with others to find the best possible solution and make it happen. It taught me to embrace chaos and failure to keep the project

moving, and not to get discouraged or sidetracked by problems. There have been many insights gained from my experience that I have been able to apply to the challenges that I have faced.

The program also helped me build upon my ability to prioritize, plan and organize. This program was demanding in terms of workload, and it better prepared me to face the demands of my career.

What advice would you give to a graduating student?

Continue to work hard, do your homework and show dedication. Hard work, tenacity and the desire to do the right thing will get you far in life. You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you are not willing to apply it, success will be challenging. You always get out what you want to put into it.

There are so many opportunities, don’t be afraid to ask for it. The worst thing someone can say is “no”, but they will have a reason. You may have wanted to go one direction but end up taking another and be okay with it. Ask for an opportunity and if it doesn’t happen, use that as your motivation to keep going. There is always something you can learn from an experience. Find out what your next best alternative solution or goal is and continue to work to where you need to be.

Do what you say you are going to do. It may be a cliché, but your word means everything. It gains trust.

If you start from a place of trust, you have a better understanding of the other party. This will go a long way when dealing with supervisors, colleagues, clients, consultants and trade partners.

Develop an ownership mindset. Take responsibility for your mistakes and fix them. Be accountable to yourself and others. This will go a long way to help build that trust.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Turn failure into a success by learning from it and move on. Ask questions and embrace continuous learning and education. Get exposure and experience in different types of projects such as civil, buildings (of all sizes and complexity) and industrial. Become more well-rounded by rotating in different roles such as proposal writing and estimating.

This will only enhance your knowledge of the business and make you a more effective if project management is your chosen job stream.

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DELNOR CONSTRUCTION

Constructing the NAIT Campus for over 30 years; Proud to support NAIT Graduates

3609-74 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6B 2T7 Ph: (780) 469-1304 www.delnor.ca

WHERE ARE THE INSTRUCTORS? The CETSC has hidden Mr. Hector, Dr. Trovato, Mr. Fearon, and Mr. Stroich in the CAT Commons.

Can you find them?

Mr. Hector

Dr. Trovato

Mr. Stroich

Mr. Fearon

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Photos taken prior to COVID-19.

THE FUTURE YOU WANT IS WITHIN REACH Join PCL Construction and you can write the plan for a future that you own.

Bring us your talents, your passions and your best efforts every day, and we’ll help you transform your vision from a dream into reality. With us, success isn’t a competition — it lives in the commitment to professional growth that we all share.

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