A partnered initiative between the Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Association (NLCA) and College of the North Atlantic (CNA), supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLSCA), will be see an expanded number of students and programs participate in the second annual Industry Day 2011.
The event, which will open on Thursday, October 13 at 8:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Holiday Inn and webcast to the Corner Brook campus, will see over 90 CNA students around the province placed with a NLCA member firm for a day of job shadowing and hands-on experience.
This year’s Industry Day activities will see students from four CNA campus locations participate in the on-the-job experience. Forty-six Civil Engineering Technology students from the Ridge Road and Corner Brook campuses will take part, as will 20 Safety Engineering Technology students from Ridge Road, and another 28 Construction/Industrial Electrician program from the Seal Cove and Burin campuses.
“This is a perfect opportunity for our members to mentor CNA students on what a challenging and rewarding career the construction industry can offer them,” said Rhonda Neary, NLCA President and Chief Operating Officer. “The day was designed to familiarize students with real world applications of their program and increase their awareness of current industry issues, workplace and safety issues in particular. The NLCA is pleased to have the support of our west coast member firms as we expand this program to their region.”
Initiatives like Industry Day 2011 provide students with an opportunity to connect their classroom training with first-hand workplace situations. It also provides them with an excellent networking opportunity as they explore career options throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Last year’s event was so well received by participating students and employers, we felt it was necessary to expand this opportunity to other students and NLCA member firms and affiliated businesses,” said CNA President, Ann Marie Vaughan. “Giving our students a chance to see what a potential workplace is like can be an eye-opening experience for many. It also gives employers throughout the province an opportunity to see how driven and capable our students are, even before they leave our programs.”
As an added feature to this year’s event, the NLSCA will be providing safety seminars at each of the campus locations prior to Industry Day. The association will present students that complete the one-day seminar with a Safety Passport and a certificate in Construction Worker Safety. This session will also be available to students enrolled in the Industry Day related programs, but who will not be participating in the work placements.
“The NLCSA is very pleased to participate in this worthwhile initiative and to be able to deliver general health and safety training to all the participants,” said Jackie Manuel, NLCSA CEO. “Ensuring workers are aware of the hazards in their workplace is critically important in preventing accidents and injuries”.
The opening of Industry Day 2011 will also be host to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CNA and the NLCA. The MOU outlines increased collaboration between the two organizations in an effort to foster and move economic and business development forward throughout the province.
“We are very pleased with the relationship we have fostered with the NLCA over the past few years, and now this MOU will form the basis for which all future agreements stem,” said Vaughan. “We see great things happening for our students as a result of this partnership.”
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Media Contact:
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca
Ms. Rhonda Neary
NLCA President/Chief Operating Officer
Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Association
(709) 753-8920
Ms. Jackie Manuel
Chief Executive Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association
(709) 739-7000