MCSC sets example for internships in the construction industry
The list of benefits that internships can provide to students is long. Students can gain practical skills, build networks, increase their confidence in a work environment, develop a clearer understanding of career paths, and in some cases, they can open the door to a job opportunity.
Just ask current Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) interns Manish Sadhu, an International Business Post-Graduate Diploma student from Red River College Polytechnic, and Hong Zheng, a Business Administrative Assistant student from Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. They’re both extremely excited about the opportunities that they’re getting with the organization, each for their own reasons.
“The internship has been very positive for me,” said Zheng. “When you leave school, it can be hard to find a full-time job. The MCSC has given me lots of experience, and some relationships too, which will make it easier for me to find a job.”
“I’m excited to know more about the construction sector,” added Sadhu, who had just started his internship. “I want to work towards being a project coordinator because I have a background in engineering. I’m really hoping to interact with different construction industries and companies and increase my reach and experience here.”
Internships are equally important for the organizations who host those students, too.
MCSC sees internships as integral opportunities to grow the construction industry, whether through apprentices on the tools or interns who work on the business side of the construction trades. Internships not only bring new workers into the industry, but those workers also bring fresh ideas to the workplace that help the industry develop.
That’s why MCSC is constantly encouraging construction companies to welcome interns into their organizations, and they walk the walk by regularly integrating interns into their own workplace. For years, the organization has been welcoming primarily Business Administration and International Business students from the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology and Red River College Polytechnic.
Ramir Diaz, MCSC’s Education and Training Manager, has been with the organization for five years. He’s seen at least two interns join MCSC each year, and he and the team of staff ensure they aren’t simply there to push paper.
“We try to expose the interns to what we do,” said Diaz. “We bring them out to the community; we show them the behind-the-scenes of our organization. They’ve helped us design surveys, learning management systems, and more.”
MCSC genuinely wants to see Zheng, Sadhu, and each intern that comes through their doors succeed, and they do everything they can to make that happen. That effort has paid off for both the students and the organization. MCSC’s current office assistant, Harleen Kaur, is a former intern, as have been other past employees.
“Through these internships, students gain networking with each other,” added Diaz. “We also encourage them to attend events that we have in-house or in the community. That could be career fairs, presentations, or training programs that we facilitate, all of which allow them to network with the industry. We really try to support our interns as much as we can by helping them find employment during their internship, and we follow up with them after they’ve done their term with us too.”
That kind of care and attention for interns sets an example that all construction companies can follow. Like interns, organizations get out of internships what they put into them, and investing time in eager and motivated students the way that the MCSC does can bring development both within organizations and across the industry.
MCSC connects with CAF members and families
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) hosted its first in-person My Transition Seminar at 17 Wing in Winnipeg Sept. 18 and 19, 2024. Supporting members of the military who transition into careers into construction has been a big priority for MCSC, which is why MCSC was at the seminar for both days.
Highly visible and interactive with participants, MCSC’s James Murphy and Ramir Diaz hosted leaders in construction, speaking about women in trades, home building, an industrial/commercial.
Over the course of two days, MCSC had exposure to hundreds of military personnel and their families, facilitating a connection to leaders in the construction industry and building relationships now and into the future.
Save the Date!
Applications for CAF’s Leadership Program and the Mentor Development Program are now available. The next cohort of both programs open on November 4, 2024, starting in February 2025:
National Leadership Development Program PDF for download
National Mentor Development Program PDF for Download
Building on school division partnership
River East Transcona School Division (RETSD) invited MCSC to be a part of their Leadership Meeting in late August at Murdock MacKay Collegiate – 260 Redonda Street. With MCSC’s support, led by James Murphy and Ramir Diaz, RETSD learned with and from industry partners as they prepare students to be inspired, skilled, and responsible as they work towards a potential career in construction. RETSD facilitated conversations with industry partners including Film Training Manitoba, Manitoba Trucking Association, New Media Manitoba, and Manitoba Aviation Council. Joining the partner groups was RETSD trustees, principals, vice principals, managers, directors, consultants, and senior administration. RETSD heard industry observations and thoughts on how they can work together to prepare students for life after K-12 education.
OETIM opens new training facility
Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba (OETIM) recently opened the doors to their new training facility, welcoming MCSC, industry partners, and various funders. Located in Sunnyside, MB, the facility was designed by Renaissance Construction and built by Bockstael Construction. Jordan James, Executive Director of OETIM showcased the newly built training centre, and a special space for heavy equipment operating. Jamie Moses, Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources, brought greetings from the province and recognized the importance of partnerships, saying these types of training centres are essential to fill labour shortages in Manitoba. Congratulations to OETIM on their new training facility!
Awards to recognize those who champion apprenticeships
The Apprenticeship Manitoba Awards of Distinction is an event that recognizes outstanding contributions that employers, journeypersons and instructors make to the apprenticeship system and celebrates the exceptional achievements of these individuals who have significantly impacted the skilled trades in our province. If you know anyone who should be recognized for their contributions, please visit:
www.gov.mb.ca/aesi/apprenticeship/generalinfo/events/index.html.
Deadline for submissions has been extended: September 27, 2024.
Mark your calendar! Oct. 17, 2024 MB Women in Construction discussion
Manitoba Women in Construction is hosting Building Inclusion, Constructing a Diverse Future in Manitoba at Pyramid Cabaret on Oct. 17, 2024, with moderator Nicole Chabot and panelists Wendy Hofford, Mitchell Haw, Amanda Brown, Danni Brinkworth, and MCSC’s Carol Paul. The 5:30-9:30 pm session will address challenges faced in construction, the importance of mentorship, and the advancement of diversity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. For more information, please visit:
MCSC presents a special women in leadership opportunity
MCSC is proudly partnering with Red Chair Coaching and Leadership Academy to offer a one-of-a-kind day for women leaders in construction. There will be only 5-8 women in attendance at this one-day event. To learn more about the day, what is involved, and how to register, check out:
Countdown to MWIT: Men as Champions, a session building “buzz” for MWIT
Every MCSC newsletter leading up to our next Manitoba Women in Trades (MWIT) conference on November 21, 2024 we feature an upcoming highlight. One of the MWIT sessions generating a lot of pre-conference interest is, Men as Champions, which covers two popular and impactful training sessions.
Shift Change: This session will introduce you to the “Gender Inclusive Leadership Training Course.” It is designed and delivered for male supervisors working in skilled trades. Through this unique program, we’re seeing big change happen in small business. Participant organizations are seeing leaders emerge and teams get stronger. Supervisors are seeing team culture shift more positive and inclusive. Learn more about the pilot program delivered with YWCA Halifax and the impact it had on supervisors working in construction.
Must See!
View a recording of our BuildHERs live stream to learn more about Shift Change.
Be More than a Bystander Training
Be More Than a Bystander is a training and educational program to support organizational and cultural shifts towards more welcoming, healthy, safe and respectful workplaces.
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners – check them out!
MCSC’s MWIT is not possible without the generous support of our sponsors, tradebooths, and other partners. Please visit MWIT’s webpage to learn more: https://mbcsc.com/event/manitoba-women-in-trades-conference-2024/
Events and Training
Additional MCSC and partner training
- Sept. 30 – Oct. 18, 2024 – Sagkeeng First Nation – Job Readiness
- Oct. 2 – 6, 2024 – Online – Skills for Change – Leadership Academy
- Oct. 3, 2024 – Brandon, MB – Manitoba Hydro Hands-On Days in Brandon, MB
- Nov. 21, 2024 – Victoria Inn in Winnipeg -Manitoba Women in Trades Conference (MWIT) at https://mbcsc.com/event/manitoba-women-in-trades-conference-2024/
For more on MCSC’s current training, please visit: https://mbcsc.com/training/
Got questions? We have answers! Please contact us at info@mbcsc.com
Proud Partner: Premier Personnel
Premier Personnel is a supported employment service that works to connect Winnipeg businesses to job seekers with intellectual or developmental disabilities. As a proud MCSC partner, Premier Personnel provides pre-employment services such as resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance. They also assist with job training support, both onsite and offsite when someone is starting a new job. Premier Personnel assists after the hiring process is complete with long-term follow-up support to assist both the individual hired and the employer to deal with any challenges as they arise.
Please visit www.premierpersonnel.ca to learn more.
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