👷Talent Thursdays: New wave

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Good morning! 💰 Are trades company owners the new millionaire class? Private equity firms have increasingly targeted skilled trades companies for acquisition, with nearly 800 such acquisitions since 2022. This trend has created new millionaires among trade business owners, as these firms buy out small, family-run companies and consolidate them.

📈LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

A study by the non-profit Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) reveals a decline in girls' confidence in their abilities in math and science, with only 59% feeling proficient, down from 73% in 2017. This confidence gap is attributed to societal pressures and stereotypes that undermine girls' belief in their STEM capabilities. Experts emphasize the need for parents and educators to provide positive role models and create supportive environments that empower girls to explore STEM fields, highlighting that careers in technology can lead to financial independence and greater influence in society. 

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Aubrey Tucker has joined McElhanney as Design Technology Manager where he will lead design technology for the organization and implement digital strategy. 

Younes Rashidi has been named COO of Hedgehog Technologies. Younes studied mechatronics system engineering and earned his M.A.Sc at Simon Fraser University (SFU) before joining Hedgehog in 2014 as a senior electrical engineer and project manager.

Rachel Bernhard, P.E., has been promoted to Director of Value Engineering at consulting engineering firm HDR. Bernhard joined HDR in 2017 as a civil engineer-in-training (EIT), having previously designed roadway and stormwater projects and inspected job sites.

Michael Fedchyshyn has been appointed the inaugural chief executive officer of the Building Ontario Fund board of directors. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience. He was previously interim CEO of Invest Ontario and prior to that he held senior leadership positions at Infrastructure Ontario where he led the creation of the Transit Oriented Communities program. 

Debbie Burke and Matt Clarke, P.Eng., have joined consulting engineering firm BBA’s Calgary office as Director of Oil and Gas and Senior Energy Advisor, respectively. Burke earned her B.Sc. in chemical engineering at the University of Calgary and has 20 years’ experience in strategic and project development in the oil and gas industry. Clarke, meanwhile, earned his B.Eng. in chemical engineering at Ontario’s Western University and has more than 10 years’ experience working for ATCO

Denis Jones, President, CEO and Chairperson of Deveraux Group of Companies, is this year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Prairies Overall Award winner. Jones was recognized alongside 13 other entrepreneurs.

🗞 HEADLINES

🦾 New wave: The City of Calgary has launched the Wave Tech Centre to explore innovative solutions for city challenges using technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. The centre, located in the Andrew Davison building, allows city staff to test technologies from local businesses and create solutions like 3D-printed concrete benches and accessibility ramps. AI is already being used to detect road deterioration, while AR/VR may assist in city planning and public feedback.

⚒️ Keynote address: Ontario’s former Minister of Labour, Monte McNaughton, may have exited politics, but he is still advocating for the construction sector. McNaughton delivered a keynote speech at Premier Danielle Smith’s third annual Summit on Fairness for Newcomers in Calgary, focusing on the importance of skilled trades and government efforts to support newcomers and workers across Canada.

⛑️ Hand it to them: Modern Niagara left the OHS Honours awards with their hands full. They won multiple awards for safety including gold for best ergonomics program, silver for best safety communications program silver, silver for best use of safety technology and gold for best hand protection

🧠 Advancing intelligence: Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is launching two new programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics for fall 2025. The programs will allow students to specialize in Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, or Bioinformatics, equipping them with the skills needed to develop AI-driven solutions for modern industry challenges. 

🧠 LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• How to stay motivated all day

• Stop ignoring your high performers

• 3 easy tips to protect your business from cyber attacks 

• Be a construction entrepreneur (not a contractor)

• Construction marketing strategies for beginners

🔥HOT JOBS

Project Controls Manager - Kitimat, B.C. - Altrad Services

Project Director - Richmond, B.C. - Bird Construction

Manufactured Housing Project Manager - Coquitlam, B.C. - Intertek

Senior Project Manager - Vancouver, B.C. - Graham

Estimator, Civil Construction - Surrey, B.C. - Jacob Bros

Civil Engineering Technologist - Terrebonne, Que. - Dillon Consulting

Commercial Project Manager - Kelowna, B.C. - Emil Anderson Group

🔥 Check out all roles up for grabs right now at SiteNews Jobs or put your job post in front of tens of thousands of construction professionals here.

Struggling to fill a role? send us an email at [email protected] to connect with one of our specialized recruitment experts.

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!

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