Month: March 2023

Brother Danny Bertrand operates a Liebherr LTM 112 to dismantle two tower cranes and erect a new one on-site at Rapicon in Vars.

Brother Danny Bertrand operates a Liebherr LTM 112 to dismantle two tower cranes and erect a new one on-site at Rapicon in Vars.

Brothers Joe Cogghe, Brian Ballard (standing), and Rob Wellington (in excavator) work on a shoreline protection project placing armour stone in the St Clair River. GC: Vanbree Drainage & Bulldozing Equipment: CAT 336 excavator

Brothers Joe Cogghe, Brian Ballard (standing), and Rob Wellington (in excavator) work on a shoreline protection project placing armour stone in the St Clair River.

GC: Vanbree Drainage & Bulldozing

Equipment: CAT 336 excavator

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is the focal point in the movement for the rights and acknowledgement of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements. Women face drastic underrepresentation in construction, engineering and manufacturing. In 2020, BuildForce Canada found that of the estimated 1.1 million tradespeople employed in […]

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is the focal point in the movement for the rights and acknowledgement of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

Women face drastic underrepresentation in construction, engineering and manufacturing. In 2020, BuildForce Canada found that of the estimated 1.1 million tradespeople employed in the industry, women made up only 5%.

OETIO wants to recognize the women in the industry by sharing their successes, reflecting on the challenges ahead and uplifting women workers to encourage more women applicants.

Like many young people, Local 793 member Kenedi Brosseau was unsure of her career path, but she leaned towards becoming an operating engineer. Kenedi applied to OETIO’s Pre-Apprenticeship program as a launching pad for a stable and exciting future.

She said, “I was welcomed with open arms; from there, I’ve never looked back! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to train with OETIO.”

Now training with OETIO (Morrsiburg) as an excavator and backhoe operator, Sister Kenedi says joining IUOE Local 793 has granted her endless opportunities.

“My future career goal would be to run an excavator for new builds, to do water main and sewer work, and I hope to have my own business eventually.”

Though joining a heavily male-dominated industry can be intimidating, Kenedi received the support she needed to face those concerns, which enabled her to focus on the positives.

She said, “I hoped to earn respect from others since I am just as capable and qualified. I had some instructors during my training with OETIO who motivated and encouraged me to see my values as a woman in this trade.”

As the construction and skilled trades industry aims to persuade more women to join the workforce, Kenedi shared some advice for those considering a career as an operating engineer.

“Follow your dreams; if I can do it, anyone else can. Keep your head up and get back up if you get knocked down. Keep your mind set on your goals and keep pushing forward.”

Kenedi has taken the learning curves of this industry in stride, only becoming stronger and more prepared for the next challenge. She certainly has no regrets.

She said, “I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people along the way, and like every new experience, it will be nerve-racking at first, but with time and perseverance, it gets easier. Reaching your goals requires determination and a strong mindset; with that, you can do anything, and nobody will get in your way.”

Local 793 and OETIO continue to support and encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace as part of a longstanding effort to remove barriers to well-paying construction jobs. If you, or someone you know, is interested in an exciting career as an operating engineer, OETIO offers an online information session every second Wednesday as a critical first step. Visit OETIO.com for more information and to register for an online session.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a day to acknowledge and commemorate women and girls’ social, political and economic achievements in Canada and worldwide. It is also a time to celebrate the tremendous achievements women have made to our labour movement, workplaces and communities. IUOE, Local 793 is […]

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a day to acknowledge and commemorate women and girls’ social, political and economic achievements in Canada and worldwide. It is also a time to celebrate the tremendous achievements women have made to our labour movement, workplaces and communities.

IUOE, Local 793 is proud to be part of the movement for gender equality. We will continue to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace in efforts to remove barriers to well-paying construction jobs.

Brother Kyle Lynds and Steward Del Ashton perform a sewer main inspection using a camera truck off Highway 20 for the City of Pelham. GC: GFL Environmental Inc.  

Brother Kyle Lynds and Steward Del Ashton perform a sewer main inspection using a camera truck off Highway 20 for the City of Pelham.

GC: GFL Environmental Inc.

 

Brothers Leon Turpling, Brian Savage and Dalmar Lougheed work on Highway 400 and Essa Road interchange replacement after the snowstorm blew through Ontario. Equipment: Linkbelt LS 218H and Linkbelt LS 208H piledrivers and a Grove RT 765E GC: Aecon

Brothers Leon Turpling, Brian Savage and Dalmar Lougheed work on Highway 400 and Essa Road interchange replacement after the snowstorm blew through Ontario.

Equipment: Linkbelt LS 218H and Linkbelt LS 208H piledrivers and a Grove RT 765E

GC: Aecon