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EDMONTON — The Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) is focusing on safety and leadership at its upcoming 2024 conference, , on Nov. 6 and 7 at the River Cree Resort in Edmonton.

“Our annual conference is about equipping our members with practical strategies and tools to address safety and industry concerns head-on,” ACSA CEO Mark Hoosein said in a statement. “In this first year delivering our five-year strategic plan, we are focusing on the foundations of safety, helping create a culture of excellence and a more resilient workforce that can meet the demands of our changing industry.”

An ACSA release also highlighted a recent BuildForce Canada report that forecast Alberta will need to replace almost a quarter, 42,500 of its 2023 workforce, by 2033. According to Statistics Canada, the construction job vacancy rate jumped to 6.7 per cent in 2023.

“While the province’s younger population seems promising in closing the gap, encouraging them to enter a career in trades is directly tied to their perception of the elevated risk associated with construction,” the release said, adding small employers face additional challenges such as minimal resources and multiple responsibilities ranging from safety to day-to-day operations.

Speakers at the conference include Randy Spracklin, the star of the HGTV show Rock Solid Builds, and keynote speaker Kevin Rempel, a mental health advocate and Canadian Paralympian.

Breakout sessions will cover effective subcontractor management, proactive safety leadership, workplace violence prevention, and turning penalties and court rulings into opportunities for improvement, the release said.

“In many organizations, incident reports can feel like an administrative burden, but our experts will show how these reports can prevent future incidents, strengthen your company’s safety culture, and prepare you in the event of an investigation,” Hoosein said. “Our goal is simple: we want every attendee to leave this conference with tools they can action to strengthen their safety programs and ensure the long-term success of their businesses.”