MHCA acknowledges it is located on Treaty One land and the homeland of the Metis Nation

MHCA makes workforce diversity higher priority

The MHCA is making diversification of the heavy construction workforce a higher priority, announcing the appointment of Jackie Jones as its first Diversity Advisor.

“Our numerous efforts through the years to attract, train and recruit individuals that have not traditionally been part of our workforce are working and we want to build on that,” said MHCA President Chris Lorenc.

“Jackie Jones is one of our most capable, versatile employees and has been doing a lot of work in the area of diversity. This formalizes her role and allows her to develop the programs, partnerships and initiatives to make greater inroads with under-represented communities.”

Jones, who has served as MHCA’s Education and Training Advisor, becomes Education and Diversity Programs Advisor. Prior to joining MHCA in 2014, she worked at Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health assisting enforcement officers in the interpretation of WSH Act and regulations. Jones, certified in Adult and Continuing Education, sits on the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance Executive Board.

The MHCA, with partner organizations, has led introductory and training programs in Indigenous communities for years. More recently, it has worked with two Winnipeg school divisions to offer introduction to heavy construction courses, one of which just saw 10 women graduate with certificates. Further, a high school credit course has been developed in concert with Southeast Collegiate, which MHCA hopes will be launched once pandemic restrictions are removed.

“I’m very excited to be coordinating these and similar programs and initiatives to reach into those communities and make contact with individuals who haven’t really looked at heavy construction as a career path to now,” Jones said.

Jones said Phil McDaniel, MHCA Senior Safety Advisor & Indigenous Engagement Leader, has done really good work with other organizations, such as the Manitoba Metis Federation and the University College of the North, to bring training to Indigenous communities and groups, providing a strong foundation on which to further build diversity efforts.

The MHCA is in the process of building a website landing page for workforce diversity, where resources and news will be posted to assist both employers and individuals from under-represented groups looking for information on inclusion and career potential.

“We want to showcase not just materials that illustrate the good careers available, but also let the diverse range of individuals within our workforce speak for themselves, share experiences and talk about their lives in heavy construction,” Lorenc said.

MHCA Chair Nicole Chabot and former Chair Colleen Munro have been featured widely in the media speaking to the career opportunities and the need to recruit from diverse communities.

“If you don’t see it, you can’t be it,” Chabot said. “It can be very intimidating to be, for example, the only and maybe the first woman on a particular job site. The more we reach out and show our industry is a welcoming employer, the more successful we are at diversifying the workforce.”

Chair’s Gala

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Close to 650pp attended from both industry, government and stakeholder partners.  It was the closing of Nicole Chabot’s two year term as Chair.  Dennis Cruise of Bituminex Paving was welcomed as the new Chair.

Press [Esc] to close

2022 Heavy Santa

December 16, 2022
David Livingstone School

This event was made possible through fundraising at the MHCA Chair’s Gala and Spring Mixer.

104 goodie bags and presents were prepared for the grades 1-4 students at David Livingstone School. 

Press [Esc] to close

Awards Breakfast & Annual General Meeting

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure (MTI) Award Winner

  • Grading – Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd.: PTH 6 Grahamdale
  • Paving – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PTH 83
  • Urban Works – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PA 634 and Bituminous Pavement PTH 5
  • Special Projects – Mekhana Development Corp/Arnason Industries Ltd: Theresa Point Airport
  • Major Structures – D. Steele Construction: Bridge Replacement over the Red River Floodway on PTH 59N
  • Minor Structures – Moncrief Construction Ltd.: Reinforced concrete box culvert on PTH 5
  • Water Management – Brunet Ltd.: Flood response, Morris ring dike closure

200 members and guests gathered to hear greetings from Premier Heather Stefanson and the newly elected Mayor of Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham. Hon. Doyle Piwniuk, Minister, Manitoba Infrastructure, handed out the MTI Awards.

31 companies were recognized for their milestone membership commitments.

Matthew Neziol, of Bayview Construction, received the Safety Leader Award.

Press [Esc] to close