12 | SUMMER 2019 ADVANTAGE STEEL EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL Structural Steel Management and Detailing THE LACK OF SKILL TRADES remains a constant concern, regardless of the sector or region that you reside in within the steel construction community. Steel construction has been at the forefront of innovation, moving from drafting pencils to 3D modelling and from saw-horses in fabrication shops to robots. Change is a constant. With this change, new skills are required. The Education and Research Council (ERC) is proud to support a two-year graduate certificate program at Conestoga College in the Waterloo region of Ontario. Under the engineering department, this 16-month program titled Structural Steel Management and Detailing (SSMD), gives students the opportunity to specialize in the detailing, supply, fabrication and installation of steel structures, including the management and coordination of projects. The training being offered was created by industry professionals to enable students to develop the analytical and communication skills to have an excellent foundation in all aspects of steel detailing, design, supply and management. The learning environment is founded on project-based learning principles and includes discussions groups, seminars, site visits and practical assignments. As part of this program, a co-op work study semester has been introduced to improve the students’ practical learning. Several CISC members gladly accepted co-op students for a work term. The first cohort began in January 2018, with an enrolment of 25 students with great success. The 2018 cohort will be actively seeking employment in April 2019. The second cohort that began in 2019 has an enrolment of 28 students. Rigorous prerequisites were put in place to enter the program, making the attributes and knowledge of the graduates sought after by many companies within the steel community. Please contact Conestoga College should you wish to take advantage of this opportunity of these skilled professionals to help progress and navigate your company through the years to come. Once again, please consider supporting the ERC to ensure initiatives like the SSMD program continue, and to ensure the growth of the structural steel industry is strong for the next generation. Please contact the CISC for more information on how your funding can directly support education and research in the steel industry. AS Michael Holleran, P.Eng. Canam Buildings and Structures “Thetrainingbeingofferedwascreatedbyindustry professionals to enable students to develop the analytical and communication skills to have an excellent foundation in all aspects of steel detailing, design, supply and management.”