b'CCA UPDATEINDUSTRY FOCUSED ON BUILDING FOR THE FUTURECCA PRIORITIES INCLUDE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE,Mary Van Buren,WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES TO PROCUREMENT President, CanadianConstruction Associationhere is no debatetheINVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTUREBUILDING THE WORKFORCET infrastructure we design, buildWILL SECURE CANADASOF THE FUTUREand maintain must anticipateGROWTH ECONOMY The construction industry is facing a a rapidly changing world, where futureSetting national goals around buildingserious workforce shortage that will climate, technologies and social needssustainability into our infrastructure isimpact our progress on building for the will be very different from today. But tokey to our future economy. The economyfuture. Skilled tradespeople cannot be achieve this, we need a considered andneeds reliable infrastructure to connectcreated overnight. Now is the time to coordinated plan backed by a long-termsupply chains and efficiently move goodsfocus on building workforce capacity and investment strategy. and services across borders. The fundsboosting skilled training programs. Infrastructure enables trade, powersmust be predictable, flow quickly and beA strong federal partner is also needed to businesses, connects workers to their jobs,aligned with provincial, municipal andhelp the industry recruit, train and retain creates opportunities for communities andIndigenous needs.tomorrows workforce. Applying quotas protects the nation from an increasinglyThe creation of an independent advisorywhen the workforce simply doesnt exist unpredictable natural environment. It alsobody can align governments at thewill not solve the root issues. Instead, the supports workers by providing millionsprovincial and municipal levels to addressindustry must be seen as a career of choice, of jobs each year in building, design andinfrastructure deficits across Canada.particularly among underrepresented maintenance, accounting for over Based on evidence and independent expertgroups. This can be achieved through 1.4 million jobs in Canada. advice, the stability of having multi-yearpartnerships between industry and project pipelines would also enable thegovernment, including funding for CCAs As the industrys national advocate, thedevelopment of the necessary skilledTalent Fits Here campaign and programs Canadian Construction Associationworkforce and encourage private that support building workforce capacity.(CCA) has been working to ensuresector investment.the federal government understandsSTAY IN TOUCH!the importance of fair and transparentSUPPORTING VALUE ANDCanada will be counting on the procurement, consistent and sufficientconstruction industry to build back investment in infrastructure and attractingINNOVATION THROUGHbetter. You can count on CCA to be a a skilled workforce.FAIR AND TRANSPARENTcollaborative partner to the Southern PROCUREMENT Interior Construction Association, These issues will be CCA priorities forWith productivity and sustainabilityproviding helpful tools, sharing best 2022, having already been raised withissues on the rise, including net-zeropractices across the country and being key elected parliamentarians during ourcarbon targets and shortages in materialyour voice with the federal government. annual Hill Day on November 30 and inand labour affecting profit margins, now our response to the federal governmentsis the time to modernize procurementStay in the loop by subscribing to CCAs National Infrastructure Assessment.practices. To build the necessarynewsletter at bit.ly/ccasubscribe, by Our united industry reinforced the needinfrastructure across the country andfollowing @ConstructionCAN on Twitter to develop a long-term infrastructurerecruit the workforce of the future, federalor by looking up Canadian Construction investment strategy, to secure the rightprocurement strategies need to adaptAssociation on LinkedIn.skills for the industry now and in theto and encourage innovation, account future by attracting a diverse and inclusivefor long-term value and sustainability,Please email me at mvanburen@cca-acc.com workforce, and to expand project deliverypromote the use of alternative deliveryif you have any feedback or comments on models that support fair procurement. models and support shared risk. how CCA can serve you better.16 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'