b'THE SYSTEMS WE CONSTRUCT, SERVICE AND REPAIR ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR INDOOR LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.As a national association, MCAC hasto address common industry practiceto viewing the trades as a second-choice taken great strides to provide membersissues. We will be able to start from acareer. Education programs dont push with resources to help address these issues.position of value, instead of trying to sellstudents into the trades, and instead We have dedicated significant federalourselves in the first place. regard these careers as a back-up plan. advocacy efforts to prompt paymentAligning Our Sectors Value toPart of this problem is systemic, and this legislation, and this past year MCACthe Skills Shortageattitude wont be easily shifted overnight. published an in-depth Change OrderThe same can also be said for tackling theBut if we can start to chisel away at this Protocol for our members. In all of theseskilled trades shortage.perception and celebrate the value of cases, a key principle has been to recognizecareers in the trades, as well as our sectors the value of mechanical contractors in theFor yearsdecades, evenwe have talkedsocietal and economic value, we can start construction industry supply chain.about the need to recruit more skilledto make inroads for the future ofTake, for instance, the issue of changeworkers to our industry. Between theour industry. order management in our sector. Byanticipated retirements we are now seeing appreciating the value of each individualand an overall decline in the number ofShowcasing the Value of Our stakeholder in the construction process,entrants to the trades, member firms areIndustry for the Futurewe can step back from commonfeeling the crunch.To that point, our industry is also poised adversarial roles and have a more gainfulFurther complicating our position isto play an increasingly important role in discussion on how to effectively managethat we are not alone in this challenge.any efforts to improve energy efficiency the change as it arises.Industries across the country are seekingin the built environment, and we need to new ways to attract workers, as well asensure we celebrate this. The same can be said throughout theways to incentivize people to join theirAs public and private owners begin construction process. Valuing each partysworkforce. From hospitality to tech toto eye their building stock as a way to contributions to a contract allows us toconstruction, we are all talking about wayslower operating costs and reduce their work more collaboratively, instead ofto improve our access to skilled labour.environmental impact, the mechanical isolating from one another (or worse). Ifcontracting sector will become a significant we can do a better job at celebrating ourUnfortunately, our sector has a perceptionpart of this transition. Our expertise, sectors value (as well as promoting thisissue we need to address. We have movedexperience and skills will be essential. value), it will put us at a greater advantageaway from the notion of master plumbers On the advocacy front, MCAC has already made this an important discussion point with key policymakers and stakeholdersthat our industry will be critical to any efforts to improve verticalHighly energy efficient pumpsinfrastructure in Canada. The more weHighly energy efficient pumpscan reiterate this point, the easier it will beto participate in the transition occurring across Canada now and into the future.and pump systems. and pump systems. Final ThoughtsAs I mentioned at the outset of this column, I am extremely excited T 866-945-6236 I www.wilo-canada.com to be taking on this role. I believe T 866-945-6236 I www.wilo-canada.com wholeheartedly in this national association, and I am looking forward to moving the needle on many of the issues we face today and will face into the future. I want to thank my predecessor Wayne Davidson for his time and effort in this role. His work was instrumental in moving MCAC forward following the pandemic. And to our Board, managers and all members across Canada, I am excited to work with you as we showcase Pioneering for You the value of this vital sector in the Pioneering for You Canadian economy.14 www.mcac.ca'