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BUILD MANITOBA     winnipegconstruction.ca
IMPACT BUILDERS
From apprentice mentorship to 
strengths-based leadership, Transcona 
Roofing is redefining what it means 
to invest in people – and earning 
industry recognition along the way
TRANSCONA  
ROOFING
By Twila Driedger
W
hen Transcona Roofing was 
named Urban Employer of the 
Year at the 2025 Apprenticeship 
Manitoba Awards of Distinction gala, the 
recognition affirmed what the company 
has long believed: investing in people is 
the foundation of long-term success.
Held on November 27, 2025, the 19th 
annual gala brought together nearly 
400 industry leaders, tradespeople 
and educators to celebrate excellence 
across Manitoba’s skilled trades sector. 
Among 37 nominated individuals and 
organizations, Transcona Roofing stood 
out for its commitment to employee 
growth, safety and long-term  
career development.
At the heart of this recognition is a 
deliberate shift towards people-first 
leadership. In the years following the 
pandemic, owner Rich Marchetti chose 
to prioritize long-term excellence over 
short-term stability – a decision that 
reshaped how the company builds 
teams and supports growth.
“We set out to build a solid foundation, 
and that foundation begins with our 
people,” says Marchetti. “Our team is  
our greatest asset, and success depends 
on placing the right people in the  
right seats.”
That transformation has been supported 
through an ongoing partnership with 
Wendy Hofford of WH Strategic Drive. 
Through strengths-based coaching and 
leadership development, Transcona 
Roofing aligned roles with individual 
capabilities and fostered a culture rooted in 
trust, clarity and accountability.
By focusing on how people communicate, 
lead and collaborate, the company 
has strengthened both culture and 
performance. Employee engagement rose 
from 80 per cent in 2021 to 97 per cent  
in 2024.
“As a strengths-based organization, we 
help each person perform at their best,” 
says Corina Ngan Tian, service manager 
at Transcona Roofing. “Our positive and 
empowering culture motivates our crews to 
go above and beyond for our customers.”
That culture is especially visible in 
apprenticeship development. According 
to Ngan Tian, apprentices are paired 
with experienced foremen who provide 
daily mentorship, hands-on instruction 
and constructive feedback. Training goes 
beyond technical roofing skills to include 
safety, communication, site coordination 
and customer service.
The company invests heavily in paid 
supplier training as well as continued 
education, with staff participating in 
WCA’s Building Supervisors for Tomorrow 
program, supporting team members 
pursuing Gold Seal Certification and 
encouraging leadership training  
with CliftonStrengths and the Dale 
Carnegie program.
Continuous improvement is built into 
operations with structured one-on-one 
check-ins, providing space for staff to 
discuss career goals, identify training 
needs and ensure alignment between 
individual aspirations and company 
objectives. Additionally, weekly 
continuous improvement meetings 
bring foremen together to collaborate 
on enhancing safety, quality and 
productivity across departments.
Transcona Roofing’s leadership also 
extends to inclusion, creating meaningful 
pathways for Indigenous and Métis 
workers to enter and advance in  
the trades. 
“A number of these hires have advanced 
into full-time, year-round positions 
and are progressing towards Red Seal 
certification,” says Ngan Tian.
In recent years, the company has also 
welcomed Ukrainian newcomers into 
its crews, offering free on-site English 
classes twice weekly at both beginner 
and advanced levels. 
“This initiative has improved 
communication, safety awareness 
and overall teamwork, while also 
strengthening morale and inclusion 
across the company,” Ngan Tian shares, 
adding that women are increasingly 
visible in leadership as well, with a 
50-per-cent women-led management 
team helping shape strategy and culture.
Transcona Roofing’s Employer of 
the Year recognition is more than a 
milestone – it’s a model. In an industry 
facing labour shortages and rapid 
change, the company is demonstrating 
that the most sustainable growth 
strategy begins with investing  
in people.  
WORKFORCE CHAMPION

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