MCA Ontario Newsletters
Free Project Management PMP Training
Spots are Filling Up! MCAO, in partnership with ECAO and CLRAO, is offering a fully funded training opportunity for MCAO member contractors: PROMEX – Project Management Skills for Construction Excellence.
Delivered in collaboration with the Schulich School of Business at York University, this program enables participants to earn a Master’s Certificate in Project Management (MCPM).
Participants will also be eligible to write the PMP® exam through the Project Management Institute (PMI)—all at no cost, thanks to the Ontario Skills Development Fund.
Program Details:
- The course runs for a total of 8 weeks:
- 6 weeks of project management training through Schulich ExecEd
- 2 weeks of AI and digital tools training through iKITES
- Live virtual sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- PMP® exam prep and fees covered
Upcoming cohorts September 4, 2025, and October 23, 2025.
Get the full program overview and registration steps in the brochure
HERE!
Save the Date: MCAO’s S.M.A.R.T. Innovation 2025!
MCAO is excited to present the Suppliers & Manufacturers Advancements, Relationships, and Technologies Innovation Evening taking place October 24, 2025, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto!
This unique event will feature a dynamic speed networking format, where participants will rotate between supplier and manufacturer tables to explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing the mechanical contracting industry.
We’ve also partnered with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, just steps from the venue, to offer members an exceptional rate of $250 for the night, thanks to additional MCAO subsidies.
Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to meet a special Hockey Hall of Fame guest as we come together to strengthen industry connections and drive future-focused conversations.
Stay tuned, registration opens soon!
Save The Date: Joint Leadership Conference!
MCAO, ECAO, and CLRAO are joining forces for an exciting one-day conference. Join us on October 23, 2025, at the Toronto Congress Centre for a collaborative, one-day event designed to strengthen our shared voice across the industry.
Stay tuned for more details!
Don’t miss the chance to keep the momentum going, join us the following evening, October 24, for our S.M.A.R.T. Innovation Evening at the Hockey Hall of Fame, where we’ll continue the conversation through networking and forward-thinking ideas.
Upcoming MCAC Training
MCAC Field Leaders Conference in September
September 15-17. 2025 | Toronto, Ontario
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is the premier event where field personnel discover their value as professionals and essential members of the management team. This September 15–17 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, ON, your field leaders will gain the tools and insights they need to become business- and results-oriented managers who drive company growth and enhance your brand. Through inspiring speakers, collaborative sessions, and real-world strategies, they’ll return energized and equipped to lead with confidence.
Register HERE!
MCAC Dispatcher Training
October 7-8, 2025, | Toronto, Ontario
Registration is now open for the 2025 CEC Dispatcher Training Program, taking place at the MCA Toronto Office in Vaughan, ON.
This intensive two-day training is tailored to strengthen the core skills that matter most for dispatchers - communication, customer service, and operational efficiency. Led by renowned industry expert Richard Worr, and designed specifically for Canadian contractors, the program blends hands-on learning with real-world scenarios to help participants build confidence and capability in their vital roles.
Space is limited, and attendance both days is required to receive the Gold Seal Certificate. Invest in your frontline team and secure a spot.
Register HERE!
MCAC’s 10-day Project Management Program
September 25–29 & October 23–27, 2025 | Waterloo, Ontario
Registration is now open for MCAC’s 10-day Project Management Program, developed with the University of Waterloo and tailored specifically for the mechanical contracting industry.
Whether you're transitioning from the field, just starting your project management journey, or looking to refine your existing skills, this course delivers a powerful blend of foundational tools and advanced strategies.
Led by nine seasoned instructors from the construction sector, the program covers key areas including estimating, scheduling, communication, and claims management. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and simulations, participants will gain practical, real-world skills to lead projects from bid to final payment.
Register HERE!
IHSA Tools to Strengthen Mentorship and Safety for New Workers
The IHSA, in partnership with key stakeholders, has created two extremely useful health and safety documents to aid in the development and mentorship of new workers.
First, the Health and Safety Mentorship Program Guidance is a publication that includes templates for a health and safety mentorship program. These templates are designed to help workplaces focus on reducing incidents, implementing comprehensive and adaptable frameworks, and creating structured evaluation tools for both mentors and mentees.
Second, the Health and Safety Basics for New and Young Workers document is designed to help new workers understand their rights and responsibilities on the jobsite. This resource introduces key topics such as legal rights, training requirements, hazard awareness, and more—providing new and young workers with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed.
To read or download these resources please visit our training page or click
HERE!
Exclusive Member Offer: 20% Off Women’s PPE from The Dirty Seahorse
MCAO is proud to partner with The Dirty Seahorse to offer members and their employees an exclusive 20% discount on all Dirty Seahorse products for the month of July.
Known for their high-quality, comfortable, and functional PPE designed specifically for women, The Dirty Seahorse is leading the way in making job sites safer and more inclusive.
We encourage all members to share this offer with their teams so more women in the trades can benefit from properly fitted, reliable PPE.
Visit www.thedirtyseahorse.com in July and use promo code MCAOJUL20 at checkout to claim your discount.
Click
HERE! to see a brochure highlighting The Dirty Seahorses Women’s Overalls.
Seventh Working for Workers Bill Introduced
The Ontario government has introduced the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, with key changes aimed at improving safety and workforce supports in the construction industry.
Key Highlights for our members:
- AEDs on Construction Sites: Construction projects with 20+ workers and expected to last 3+ months will be required to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The WSIB will be reimbursing contractors for the purchase of an AED.
- Health & Safety Accreditation in Procurement: Public infrastructure project owners may be required to treat Chief Prevention Officer-accredited Health and Safety Management Systems as equivalent in procurement processes.
- Administrative Penalties for Safety Violations: A new system of fines will help enforce safety standards and HSMS requirements on construction sites.
- Faster Construction of Training Centres: The construction of training centres supported by the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream will be sped up by exempting projects from certain planning permits and approval requirements that can slow down construction.
- Apprenticeship Hiring on Public Projects: The province will consult on requiring public infrastructure projects to prioritize apprentice hiring in public infrastructure projects.
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To see the full press release click
HERE!
Ontario Unlocks Free Trade with Alberta and Prince Edward Island
Ontario has signed new trade agreements aimed at boosting interprovincial collaboration and reducing barriers for goods, services, and workers. This development opens the door to new opportunities for mechanical contractors across Western Canada.
Key highlights of the agreements include streamlined labour mobility for skilled trades and mutual recognition of credentials, meaning that contractors certified in Ontario may now face fewer regulatory hurdles when pursuing work in other provinces and vice versa.
These agreements are part of a broader strategy to accelerate major infrastructure and energy projects. With fewer barriers to entry, Ontario firms can more easily bid on and participate in projects across provincial borders.
ï»żTo read the original press release click HERE!
Welding Test Fund (WTF) Program Updates Now in Effect
Following the recent round of negotiations, several updates have been made to the Welding Test Fund (WTF) Program to better reflect the needs of the Zones and the rising costs associated with testing.
These changes came into effect on May 1, 2025, and include revisions to Article 21 and an updated WTF Employer Invoice form.
For full details, please visit our Welding Procedures page HERE!
Please direct any questions to
mcao@mcao.org.
MCAO’s HR on Demand
An HR partner might not be a role that your business can support in-house. Most companies don’t add an HR person until they hit 50 people. In the meantime, if you have a question that relates to hiring, performance management, compensation, legislation, conflict, termination (and other human resources topics) it can be hard to know where to start.
We are introducing a potential solution for those of you without HR in-house. MCAO is partnering with Dee Pipher, CHRL to offer HR support.
If you would like to set up a 30 minute chat with Dee for HR advice, fill in THIS FORM to give some context. You will then be sent a link from Dee to set up a time through calendly.com.
The cost of the 30-minute consult is covered by MCAO. More in depth consultations may need to be covered by the contractor organization.
If your questions are of a legal nature, or are outside of the scope of HR, Dee may refer you to an employment lawyer.
Looking for more?
Our intent is to make this a quarterly newsletter that is full of timely and valuable information for you. If you would like to see a specific topic or concern included in a future version please reach out to us at mcao@mcao.org. We welcome any feedback and/or questions you may have.
MCA Ontario Newsletters
