👷Talent Thursdays: Sisterhood

Good morning! 🏠 Can you grow homes with homegrown? Asinikahtamwak, an Indigenous-owned company in Alberta, has started producing lightweight, hemp-based building blocks they hope can provide sustainable, affordable housing solutions. The company is experimenting with other projects and plans to scale up production, using materials like flax and bamboo.

📈 LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

As the Site C hydroelectric dam project nears completion, BC Hydro reported a decline in workforce numbers, with 1,866 workers in December, down from 2,149 in November. This drop aligns with BC Hydro’s expectations as major project milestones are achieved. Despite these decreases, BC Hydro expects all generating units to be operational by the fall of 2025.

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Jeremy Mielke is the new program manager for the Calgary Construction Association’s "Tailgate Toolkit" Recovery Resource Program.

Alisha Wong is now Vice President, Finance, for Intracorp Homes in Vancouver. She will oversee Canada's financial management, reporting, strategic planning, insurance and IT functions.

Aiden Callison, Ali Kenyon, and Darin Harding have joined HCMA’s partnership group as principals. 

Adrian Vugts is now Project Superintendent at Gillam. He brings 25 years of experience to the role. 

Janice Chuang has been promoted to Senior Director, Finance, Technical Services at Ledcor. She has been with the company for more than 10 years. 

Daniel Chauvin is joining North American Construction as its Vice President of Operations. He brings over 20 years of industry experience.

Roman Loehnert has been promoted to Director of Operations for Modern Niagara. 

Shawn D’Souza has begun a new role as HR Business Partner at Ledcor. 

Paul Wright is now Director of Construction at unitii corp. 

Ali Salman announced plans to leave Northgate Modular where he worked as its Indigenous Partnerships lead. Salman says he will announce his next career move soon. 

Chris Jakul is now Vice President, Prairies, at Stormtec Water Management. 

🗞 HEADLINES

Big family: 👷‍♀️ The Sisters in the Brotherhood Capacity Building Project aims to support women entering the construction industry by expanding recruitment, providing mentorship, and advocating for policy changes to reduce barriers. The initiative will establish 12 new committees across Canada, enhancing the network and representation of tradeswomen within the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. It will also create a Resource Network to assist tradeswomen with support services and establish a reporting system for harassment.

New chair: 🪑 The Vancouver Regional Construction Association announced its newly elected Board of Directors for 2025, marking a significant milestone in the association’s history. Regina Marklund of Turner Construction Company has been appointed Chair, becoming the second female to hold this leadership position since VRCA’s inception.

Excellent news: ⚒️ Newfoundland and Labrador has announced the Make it Excellent campaign to attract the next generation of tradespeople, aiming to address a looming shortage as over 6,000 workers in construction and trades are expected to retire in the next decade. The investment will support apprenticeships and youth programs, with employers who hire skilled apprentices receiving 75% of their wages covered by the government. 

🧠LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• How AI is magic for skilled trades training

• Avoid ‘meeting hangovers’ 

• Why Trump is putting tariffs on steel

• Bigger isn’t always better. How to scale effectively 

• Zombie leadership: Dead ideas that linger

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes and the skill of its hands." – John Ruskin

🔥HOT JOBS

Director, Construction - Toronto, Ont. - Tim Hortons

President - Vancouver, B.C. - SiteTalent

Construction Director - Quebec City, Que. - BBA Consultants

VP, Business Development - Coquitlam, B.C. - SiteTalent

Senior Project Manager - Bedford, N.S. - Bird Construction

Senior Project Manager - Halifax, N.S. - Colliers

🔥 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.

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!

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