Meeting with Representatives of Alberta Education
A very productive meeting with Alberta Education representatives was held on June 7. This was as a follow-up to previous discussions between CHBA - Alberta President Ralph Hutchinson, and CHBA - Alberta staff, and Minister Ron Liepert and his Assistant Deputy Ministers. The meeting was set up by Program Development and Standards staff responsible for High School curriculum and deliveries of the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) programs to students throughout the province. CHBA - Alberta's Director of Human Resources Development was invited to explore areas where partnerships could be developed between the Ministry and the Association. Two areas identified for immediate follow-up include CHBA - Alberta review of trades curriculum that could form a residential trades option through the Career and Technology Studies program, and the development of a training program for the professional development of CTS teachers. There was also a request for CHBA - Alberta to develop an industry-based credential that could be promoted by the schools for both the student work experience and professional development programs. The Education staff have expressed interest in participating on the CHBA - Alberta Human Resources Development Advisory Council as a way to ensure ongoing involvement.
EnerVision Receives Award
The housing industry's success with building energy efficient homes was recognized at the Emerald Awards in Calgary last week. The team of Built Green™ Society of Canada, EnerVision & SAIT Polytechnic was announced as the winner of the 2007 Emeralindustry'sd Award in the Not-For-Profit category for their joint application. The award was presented to Built Green Chair David Bengert, EnerVision Executive Director Alex Joseph and Larry Rosia, Dean of Construction at SAIT by Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who also served as Honourary Chair for the Emerald Awards. Since February 2004, around 4,000 Built Green homes have been constructed in Alberta, resulting in a saving of about 14,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses.
OVOI Member Benefit Package
Recently, you should have received a Member Benefit Package from CHBA - Alberta. The piece provides members with information on the anticipated benefits resulting from actions taken on the association's Strategic Goals and member commitment to the OVOI initiative. Another communication piece members can expect is the spring edition of the Progress Report newsletter. If you have any questions visit the OVOI webpages or contact Grant Ainsley at 1-800-661-3348 or via email at grant@chbaalberta.ca.
Review of Association's Progress
The Board of Directors of CHBA - Alberta meets in Calgary this Thursday. At the top of the Board's agenda will be a review of progress made on the association's annual strategic plan. The meeting, to again be chaired by President Ralph Hutchinson, will be the first as Vice President for Vince Laberge of Edmonton but will also be the last for current Calgary Region President Don Davies. Tomorrow night he will formally turn over the reins of the association to Deep Shergill at the Calgary dinner meeting following the association's Annual General Meeting. The provincial Board meeting will also be the first as Central Alberta President for Laurie Chapman, who succeeded Marty Bruin earlier this spring.
Construction Labour Forecast
In order to have a better understanding of potential labour and skills shortages for our industry, CHBA - Alberta staff participate in a number of Labour Market Information (LMI) initiatives. Some of these are with the Province through the Construction Sub-Strategy and Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry consultations. We also work with Statistics Canada and the LMI staff at Service Canada. An important industry-driven project is managed through two committees of the national Construction Sector Council for the development of a construction-wide Alberta forecast and for Alberta input as a member of the national residential Labour Market Information committee that includes our CHBA colleagues from other provinces. The Construction Sector Council releases annual reports for all provinces and a Canadian forecast, that identifies market demand for 31 construction trades. Starting in 2008, separate rankings will be done for the residential construction sector. The Alberta Forecast for 2007-2015 was released on May 17. For a full report, click here.
Sustainable Communities Invitation
An abundance of research, tools and programs on sustainable communities exists, yet true sustainable communities in Canada are few and far between. As an industry we are faced with the challenge of achieving significant and relevant transformation. This is an opportunity for you to influence these changes. View the attached invitation to the event Wednesday, June 20.
