The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 291: Ontario Construction Secretariat CEO Robert Bronk

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) CEO Robert Bronk about that organizations efforts to increase apprenticeship in Ontario. Bronk detailed how OCS and the industry as a whole adapted to the pandemic and that certain benefits sprang from adapting to new circumstances, such as improved sanitation on-site as well as innovations in training born out of necessity, such as hybrid learning in-class and virtually. He also spoke to the continued efforts to rid the construction industry of its stigma as a second choice for the career minded, and to change pre-conceived notions while explaining how a job in the trades can be lucrative and satisfying. We also have the latest Journal of Commerce and Daily Commercial News headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole, including how the death of UA Local 71 business manager Ronald Maisonneuve of mesothelioma has left the Ottawa trades community reeling, renovation details for 100 Level at Rogers Centre in Toronto, and Defense Construction Canada ramping up projects to support an expanding defence mandate. From the west, Lindsey detailed stories on ongoing Port of Vancouver labour action and Grande Prairie employing a 'firebreak' structure to keep wildfires at bay. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about recent strike actions and the ongoing labour crunch is available here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Latest Ottawa-area asbestos death leaves trades reeling Renovation details unveiled for 100 Level at Rogers Centre DCC ramps up projects to support expanding defence mandate Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal Firefighters build guards to keep wildfires under control Global Market Scan: Energy transition — the future is here Housing Starts vs Economic Orthodoxy Top 10 largest construction project starts in Canada and Trend Graph - June 2023 Guckes: ConstructConnect's Project Stress Index - July 3, 2023