b'CCA NEWScorridor infrastructure program. Manitoba is a key trade gateway and stands to benefit from this strategy.WORKFORCE REMAINS AN URGENT PRIORITYWe have laid a strong foundation with the federal government to rebuild Canadas construction workforce through immigration programs and investing in the promotion of skilled trades. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada initiated a new process under the Express Entry program to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in occupations considered a priority in Canada. Ten occupations in construction, including carpenters, plumbers, welders and electricians, are now included in the list of nearly 83 jobs.The urgent need for skilled trade workers received nationwide attention through our partnership on the Canadian Apprenticeship Service 3(CAS). Within the first six months of the CAS program, millions in funds were dispersed to eligible employers, and 47 per cent of apprentices self-identified as being from an equity-deserving group. FAIR PROCUREMENTWeve moved the needle on improvements to procurement and project delivery by expanding our outreach to public owners and promoting the use of CCDC documents. CCA obtained a commitment from government leaders at its semi-annual Meech Lake meeting to establish a working group on procurement and project delivery methods. CCAs Best Practices Services is delivering new resourcesBETTER some of which are being developed through the work of our National Advisory Councils. We recently produced a two-part webinar series 4to guide our members on the implementation of the Federal Prompt Payment forSAFETYConstruction Work Act. You can also watch one of our past Read your construction contract 5webinars or enroll in an upcoming CCDC Seminar 6in April or May to help guide you on the use and application of some of the new or soon-to- THROUGHbe-released CCDC documents. We are also making contract management simpler and more transparent with our soon-to-be-launched contract management platform, SignaSur. PARTNERSHIPSTAY IN TOUCH!You can count on CCA to be a collaborative partner to the Winnipeg Construction Association, providing helpful tools, sharing best practices across the country and being your voice with the federal government. References1www.cca-acc.com/plus/join-our-call-to-action-to-the-federal-government-to- address-industry-concerns2www.ctip-picc.ca 3www.apprenticesearch.com/cas888.985.2357 CLASSICFLS.COM4www.cca-acc.com/events/connected-webinars 5www.cca-acc.com/events/connected-webinars/past-webinar-recordings 6www.ccdc.org/ccdc-seminars-2024 Issue 1 | Spring Edition | 2024 BUILD MANITOBA 23'