A MATCH MADE ON-SITE.

Edmonton Construction Association to support student learning in our newly renovated lab,” says Chelsea Edmann, Dickinsfield’s principal. “Exposure to different opportunities, including construction trades, in junior high helps students learn new skills and build an understanding of possible career pathways. Students are excited to try out all the equipment and can’t wait to build new projects!”

The Careers Pathway committee is already busy planning their next delivery in 2024 and hopes to onboard schools from the Edmonton Catholic School Board and utilize its member company partnerships to secure additional donations and funding.

SKILLS ALBERTA: HANDS-ON LEARNING

As a proud new sponsor of Skills Canada Alberta, the ECA cheered on hundreds of young competitors from across the province showcasing their trades and technology skills in a variety of hands-on skill competitions at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in early May.

Over the course of two days, the ECA helped support the Skills Alberta Competition and trade show. The event showcased Alberta’s finest young skilled trade and technology talents, and offered 10,000 students the opportunity to explore a myriad of careers and seek advice from industry leaders themselves.

As part of the event’s Try-A-Trade trade show, Career Pathway committee members put their own skills to the test, planning and building an interactive display to showcase the diverse roles that make up the Edmonton Construction Association’s membership–and how they all work together.

“ECA is the hub of construction—and we wanted to highlight that,” says Mielke, who helped brainstorm the display booth’s vision. “We wanted to show how trades cooperatively work together on a jobsite to achieve a joint vision.”

Delnor Construction helped bring the display to life, building a series of four- by-four-feet walls, each with different layers representing the many careers involved in each scenario.

“The piece really showcased just how many different trades are utilized in a build,” says Down. “It’s not just someone coming in and building a wall—you’ve got your electricians, plumbers, drywallers, framers, estimators, project managers— the list goes on. It’s 50 different careers who’ve touched this wall to make it all happen.”

Overall, the new sponsorship was deemed a success. “We’re thrilled with our first contribution to the Skills Canada Alberta Competition,” says Down. “We had a great group of volunteers interacting with students coming through to teach them about the wall system, and of course, team work.”

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT: INVESTING IN MENTORSHIP

Career Pathways is also helping open up a world of choices for Edmonton youth by supporting various mentorship opportunities throughout the year.

The ECA is a delighted new sponsor of Junior Achievement’s World of Choices events, which empower students to succeed in designing a career by learning from industry leaders. Member volunteers have the opportunity to connect with students through small sessions and share their unique experiences that led them to where they are today.

The first World of Choice event took place in mid-April, where ECA members from a range of professions shared their own journeys navigating schooling, jobs, people—and all the challenges in between—with the students of Cardinal Leger Junior High School.

“It’s an opportunity for our members to get in front of hundreds of students and share their unique career paths, in hopes of inspiring youth to feel confident to start their own journey,” says Down.

And more often than not, their careers do not always follow a conventional path.

“Students get this idea that you go to school, get a job, and that’s where you’re at for the rest of your life,” says Down. “World of Choices shows them that’s not always the case. It can be: go to school, get a job, meet someone and get a different job, meet someone else and get a different job, go back to school, and so on. It puts into reality what it’s actually like to go out there and have a career.”

The next World of Choices event is set to take place later this fall and ECA members are encouraged to participate.

Become A Volunteer

Behind each Career Pathways initiative is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to showing youth first-hand that promising careers await them in construction and trades.

Inevitably, as Career Pathways continues to expand, more volunteers are needed. “We rely heavily on our members and board to make these initiatives happen,” says Down.

ATCO Frontec (ATCO) serves as the Prime Contractor to Defence Construc�on Canada, providing facility maintenance services for facili�es throughout Alberta within the communi�es of Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowhead County, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. These services consist of:

▪ Preven�ve maintenance

▪ Correc�ve maintenance/repair

▪ Addi�onal projects up to a value of $300,000 for all trades. Services will be required from now to March 2027 under the current contract.

ATCO is seeking qualified companies interested in conduc�ng the work outlined above, as well as consultants to undertake the prepara�on of design, cost proposals, professional service cost es�mates and tender documenta�on.

Vendors must hold a valid Designated Organiza�on Screening (DOS) or Facility Security Clearance (FSC), issued by the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate. Contractor personnel must hold a minimum screening level of Reliability Status, however Secret (Level II) clearance is required to perform work in most facili�es.

ATCO can support interested vendors in obtaining DOS and FSC clearance to par�cipate in this contract and submit quota�ons for addi�onal work scopes.

Contact: Ali Abulrejal, Procurement Specialist ali.abulrejal@atco.com | 1-403-519-3827

According to Mielke, every ECA member is already equipped with the tools they need to get involved. “These aren’t difficult things we’re doing here— but they’re incredibly impactful,” he says. “Everyone who’s working in this industry already has the skill set needed to make a difference.”

He also encourages members to consider the lasting impacts on the community and generations to come.

“If you’re a parent, do this because you’re interested in what your kid’s future is. If somebody in your world is a teacher, you know they need that support,” he shares. “What can you do to make a difference if only for an hour?”

ECA members are encouraged to sign up for Career Pathways volunteer opportunities by reaching out to Brittaney Down at brittaney.down@edmca.com. u