History
The Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education
Foundation (CMCEF) is a federally chartered non-profit corporation,
established on May 8, 1998. It is governed by a Board of Trustees with
representation from: Contractors of various sizes from all regions of
Canada; Provincial Affiliate Managers Council; Associate / Supplier
Members; Employees; and Client / Owners. The Chairman and President of
the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) hold
ex-officio, non-voting positions on the Board.
The Foundation was created upon the recommendation
of an Education Task Force in its report to the Board of MCAC. The
report is a major component in the mechanical contracting industry’s
strategic response to the findings and recommendations of the Pipe
Trades National Human Resources Needs Analysis (the IAS study)
published in 1997.
In recent years, the industry has been challenged
by a great deal of change in a short period of time. Slow recovery in
an uncertain economic climate has given rise to irrational competition
where poor estimating and under-bidding have resulted in financial
distress for individual companies. Market conditions for the entire
industry have been undermined. The problem has been compounded by
rapid technological change, making it increasingly difficult for
companies to maintain the capability to access and utilize newer
materials, applications and systems.
Based on the findings of a
national survey and contractor focus groups, MCAC’s Educational Task
Force determined that continuous, “life long” learning and skills
upgrading, with a focus on new management techniques and procedures,
were essential for the future viability of the industry.
The Task Force challenged the
Foundation with a 4-dimensional mandate:
To promote the concept of continuous career
education and facilitate distance learning through electronic program
delivery.
To assist contractors in selecting the most
convenient, cost-effective, best value training, relevant to their
particular needs, by creating a national inventory and calendar of
available course providers, evaluated and “Gold Seal” recognized.
To develop programs where subject or regional voids
are apparent.
To promote the more technological, professional
image of today’s modern mechanical contracting industry through
partnerships with high schools, colleges and universities, attracting
the brightest and best students to careers in the industry.
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