Annual General Meeting 2025: Recap
Thank you to all our members that attended our AGM. Your support is much appreciated and needed. Special thanks to our presenters, Ryan Hector from NAIT, Ken Lodwig from the Alberta Government and Cam Buskell and Craig Boris from 908 Engineering and to special guests Nicole Mahoney from NAIT and Ray Massey from the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades.
We had a lot of good discussion and interaction with our industry partners and educators. As we enter a year of challenges and opportunities, we need to work collectively to ensure the metal building industry remains a viable and integral part of building our province.
Here is a recap of key take away points from our presenters:
Metal Building Systems Erector (MBSE) Apprenticeship Program: Presented by Ryan Hector, Associate Dean – School of Construction and Building Sciences
1. Apprenticeship Advisory Committees provide input to NAIT’s Apprenticeship Advisor Council on Apprenticeship Education Programming. The Advisory Committee is comprised of Industry & Alumni, AIT representatives and NAIT program instructors. To learn more, or if you are interested in joining: https://www.nait.ca/alumni/ways-to-get-involved/alumni-association-advisory-committee
2. The Ironworker Program consists of 4 periods, the 1st and 3rd period are specific to the MBSE Program. MBSE Delivery Methods for 2025/2026: 1st year periods will be delivered face-to-face; and the 3rd period delivered in a blended model with theory completed online and the practical portion done at NAIT’s shop facilities.
3. Enrollment Stats: 1st period has had consistently strong enrollment for the past 3 years. 3rd period fall enrollment was weak but picked up for the current spring session. Enrollment levels will dictate the number of periods that will be delivered annually. Industry may sponsor periods, providing there is a sufficient number of students to fill the session. Registration for upcoming sessions opens in May. To learn more or register: https://www.nait.ca/nait/admissions/applying-to-nait/starting-your-registration
4. Program Waitlists: If you have an apprentice on the waitlist, the Registrars office emails the apprentice at 9 pm. The first apprentice to pay and enroll gets the spot. If you are an employer paying for an apprentice on the waitlist, email the agreement/letter to regrecords@nait.ca to have the apprentice’s record flagged.
Alberta Government – Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT):
Presented by Ken Lodwig, Program Development Specialist, Alberta Government:
1. My Skilled Trades Network (MySTN): Share your expertise with Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) to build your industry apprenticeship education programs and identify industry needs. To learn more or to apply: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/engagement-events/my-skilled-trades-network/
2. Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act: New regulations and terminology. New terms have replaced “compulsory and optional” with “restricted activities and classes of individuals.” Additional terms, like “sponsor and mentor,” have been added and have broader meanings which include (but are not limited to) the terms “employers and journeypersons.” Additional regulations and a Board Order provide more information and can be found at: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/regulation-resources/policy-and-legislation/regulations/
3. Ironworker Statistics: there are currently 966 Ironworkers across the province in all branches of the trade. The Metal Building System Erectors have 62 of those apprentices with approximately 60% of the apprentices in their 1st period. This a fluid count and may change daily.
4. AIT updates: New format record book testing phase has been completed. Positive feedback from a supportive group of organizations who helped with the testing phase (thanks to Bexson Construction and Cody Bexson) for being one of those organizations. Also, the new format Curriculum guides (which replace the former course outline) for all branches of the Ironworker trade are available under their specific trade profile on the website at: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/designated-trades-profiles/.
Additionally, exam revisions are planned in coming months and will require industry participation. Apprenticeship Delivery Services continues to go out and visit sites on a daily basis across the province to support and monitor activities performed by workers. They also share updates to our unit.
NECB for Pre-Eng Metal Buildings:
Presented by Cam Buskell, P.Eng, Safety Codes Building Sub-Council member (Energy Efficiency), Founding member of International Building Performance Simulation Association; and Craig Boris, P.Eng and senior partner of 908 Engineering.
1. NECB 2020 enforced as of May 1, 2024: restrictions on the amount of energy a building may consume with respect to envelope, lighting, HVAC, water heating and electrical systems.
2. Three paths to compliance:
a. Prescriptive – must meet specs with stringent energy efficiency requirements (highest construction cost).
b. Trade-off – trade off specs on a same-system basis only (doesn’t take advantage of all the savings available and doesn’t remove all expensive options).
c. Performance – energy modeling by trading off any spec from any system (usually lowest construction cost and most flexible).
d. Tiered Performance – a high-efficiency subset of Performance Path (rarely used with tighter performance restrictions).
3. Pre-eng building envelope: tested traditional and innovative roof and wall assemblies (thermal roof systems, thermal blocks, cavity filled and decreased insulation compression) have provided better performance values to integrate into energy models.
4. Planning for NECB Compliance: Engage an NECB professional early, preferably at the planning stage and before bid, to avoid costly redesign. An experienced building consultant can advise on efficient building systems design, identify red-flags, and provide turn-key fees for accurate bidding.
5. Solar: needs to be planned for early so that it is captured in the building design and pricing, as it will add collateral and drift load to your building. Including solar in the building permit application is necessary if you are taking advantage of the energy savings.