2016 Construction Career Expo - Calgary Construction Association

2016 CCA’s Construction Career Expo – 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Calgary Construction Association’s (CCA) Construction Career
Expo took place on April 20, 2016 at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park. Canada’s largest construction
expo hosted over 2,800 youth who came from Calgary and surrounding area junior and senior high
schools. Upon arrival, youth were given an array of complimentary colorful t-shirts showcasing the
tenth anniversary expo logo. With 48 exhibitors, Stampede Park was bustling as students had the
opportunity to get hands on experience in different construction trades. Some of the displays included,
but were not limited to carpentry, masonry, electrical, welding, millwork and virtual simulations. As
students entered the event, they grabbed their closest friends and scurried with anticipation. With
excitement and enthusiasm, the youth toured exhibitor to exhibitor to participate in organized
interactive activities throughout the 50,000 square feet of the show floor.
A bird’s eye view of the action on the exhibit floor where students were shoulder to shoulder in activity all day.
One of the projects at the expo was to build seven dog houses. They were state of the art dog homes
with unique design, full insulation and shingles on the roof. Following the expo, these dog houses were
donated to the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) following the expo; other students threw
on coveralls and painted large walls with extended paint rollers. With some assistance, some youth
experienced what it was like to finish concrete while others put on a harness and assisted with roofing
and siding.
Students put on coveralls and brightened up the
walls of the expo.
Rob Shaw of EllisDon presented the dog houses
built at the Construction Expo to representatives
from AARCS, Lindsay Black (left) and Kelsey
Scoular.
CCA’s Youth Employment Program (YEP), had students intrigued by what was behind the CCA’s big,
black curtain. Some thought it was change room, others thought it was where lunch was being given.
To their surprise, CCA had set up the YEP tent turned “Theatre” so that students at and view CCA’s
video on Careers in Construction while they enjoyed popcorn. The CCA video talked about the many
benefits of working in construction and the ability to earn while you learn. It also discussed how
working in the trades could provide the youth with a desirable lifestyle, for example the ability to
purchase a home or vehicle at a very young age.
Students also participated in a
construction quiz that they received
in their expo back pack along with
safety glasses. The quiz tested their
knowledge about what they learned
from the various exhibits throughout
the day. The exhibitors encouraged
the youth to interact with them at
their respective booths. At the end
of their visit, completed quizzes
were submitted into a draw with a
chance to win an i-pad mini, which
gave the students further incentive
to get involved and keep engaged
throughout the day.
Youth at the expo were creating glass inuksuks at the Glass and
Architectural Metals Association booth.
Volunteers were easy to spot, all wearing orange t-shirts, they were readily available to answer any
questions that students had. Volunteers also engaged students and assisted with hands on
demonstrations that gave the youth a ‘snapshot ‘of what it would be like to work within the
construction industry. The Construction Career Expo aims to provide students with the opportunity to
explore options for careers in construction, learn about the construction industry while having fun! By
encouraging these young minds to consider a career in the construction industry, the CCA feel it will
provide the construction industry with a positive influence and progression in all of the sectors for
years to come.
Thank you to the amazing volunteer team at the 2016 Expo!
CCA would like to thank the following exhibitors for their participation in this year’s expo:
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Finning Heavy Construction Division
Alberta Construction Safety Association
Glass & Architectural Metals Association
Alberta Floor Covering Association
Harris Rebar/Ironworkers Local 725
Alberta Ready-Mixed Concrete Association
Hertz Equipment Rental
Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Lodge 146
Armour Equipment Sales & Rentals
KBM Commercial Flooring
Building Trades of Alberta
Ledcor Construction Ltd.
Burnco Rock Products
Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta
Calgary Fasteners & Tools - Bosch Power Tools
Master Painters and Decorators Association of Alberta
Calgary Fasteners & Tools - Dewalt
Mechanical Contractors Association
Calgary Fasteners & Tools - Makita Tools
Merit Contractors Association
Calgary Fasteners & Tools - Milwaukee
PCL Construction Management Inc.
Calgary General Contractors Association
Professional Excavators Ltd.
CANA Construction
SAIT Polytechnic School of Construction
Canadian Fire Alarm Association
SAIT Polytechnic School of Construction (Geomatics)
Careers: The Next Generation
SAIT Polytechnic School of Construction (Carpentry)
Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association
SAIT Polytechnic School of Construction (Sheet Metal)
CCA Women in Construction
SAIT Polytechnic School of Construction (Virtual Spray Painting)
CCA Youth Employment Program
SAIT Learning Exploration Centre (Fuselage)
Centron Group
Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Alberta
City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre
Siding Contractors Association of Alberta
DIRTT Environmental Solutions
Trotter & Morton Group of Companies
Elan Construction Limited
UA Local 496
Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
Westcor Construction Ltd.
An enormous THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, industry partners, volunteers and schools
who took the time to make the CCA’s tenth anniversary such a huge success!