Building the Future: Leadership, Training and Nation Building in Alberta
When Canadians talk about building the country, the conversation often centres on major infrastructure projects, energy development, manufacturing and the investments needed to strengthen Canada’s economy.
But nation building starts long before the first piece of major infrastructure is put in the ground. It starts with the people who will build it.
That work is happening every day at UBC Millwright Local 1460 Alberta, where Head of Trades Jason Harrison recently helped lead the refurbishment of the Local’s training centre. What began as a facility improvement became something much more significant: an investment in the next generation of skilled tradespeople and a practical example of how the Millwright Regional Council is helping build Canada’s capacity from the ground up.
Jason was instrumental in taking the project from an idea to a finished training facility. Refurbishing an active training centre required planning, coordination, technical knowledge and careful financial management. He helped prioritize improvements, coordinate purchasing, work within the available budget and ensure resources were directed toward improvements that would have the greatest benefit for members and apprentices.
The result is a safer, more practical and more welcoming environment for training. But the most important part of the project may not be the improvements that can be seen throughout the facility. It is the experience gained by the apprentices who helped create them.
Jason made a deliberate decision to involve first-period Local 1460 millwright apprentices in the refurbishment. Rather than simply watching experienced tradespeople complete the work, apprentices were given the opportunity to put their training into practice on a real project with real responsibilities.
“This training centre represents our commitment to investing in people. While not every part of our industry makes that investment, Local 1460 believes training and apprenticeship is one of our greatest responsibilities”. – Jamie Harju, Business Manager, Local 1460. “Every improvement we make to this facility creates better opportunities for our members to develop their skills, work safely and build meaningful careers. By investing in training today, we’re ensuring Alberta has the highly skilled workforce our industries and communities will depend on to build this province.”
They worked with their hands. They solved problems. They learned to work as a team. They experienced the expectations of a professional worksite and saw what quality craftsmanship looks like when the finished product belongs to the community they are preparing to serve.
“Nation building begins by investing in people. Every opportunity we create for apprentices to develop their skills strengthens Canada’s ability to build the infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and industrial projects that will drive our future. By investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople today, we are building a stronger workforce, a stronger economy, and a stronger Canada.”
— Mark Beardsworth, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Millwright Regional Council
As Canada looks to accelerate the construction of housing, energy projects, manufacturing facilities, transportation infrastructure and other projects of national importance, the country will need skilled workers who are ready to build them. Training centres like Local 1460 are where that capacity is developed.
About the Millwright Regional Council
The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of twelve affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. The UBC Millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications
Millwright Regional Council
416-757-5161
abredin@ubcmillwrights.ca
