34 AVENUES WINTER 2019 EDUCATION T here has never been a more urgent need to interest young people in a career in construction, including the aggregates sector. BuildForce Canada estimates that by 2027, 21 per cent of Canada’s construction labour force will be older than 65 years of age, while only about 10 per cent of positions will be filled by youth entering the workforce. The situation surrounding aggregates is even more challenging because the industry doesn’t share the same high profile among students as the commercial building trade. Fortunately, at least one university – the University of Waterloo – has introduced a course designed specifically to interest students in a career in aggregates. Known formally as PLAN 474 / 674, Aggregate Resources Planning, Development and Management, the program was spear- headed by Wayne Caston, an adjunct lecturer in the Faculty of the Environ- ment at Waterloo’s School of Planning. A Waterloo alumnus himself, Caston worked in aggregates resources for more than 40 years, including at the precursor to the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA). He approached the School of Planning a few years ago with the idea of an undergraduate course that would introduce students to the field of aggregate resources and its integration into land-development planning. The program made a lot of sense to School of Planning director Clarence Woudsma. “We would educate future planners who are going to work within municipalities around Ontario and beyond,” he says. “We wanted students to get a first-hand introduction to aggre- gates-industry resources and fundamental issues around planning for aggregates.” Students, typically in their third of fourth year of undergraduate planning, geography or environmental manage- ment programs, are introduced to geology, economics, licensing require- ments, interdisciplinary and policy issues, rehabilitation strategies, and provincial plans related to aggregate resources. Building pathways By Sarah B. Hood University of Waterloo exposes students to the aggregates sector through a dedicated course and co-op placements