COVID-19 – INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

During the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,  special measures are in place to protect MBT workers, their families and the community from possible infection and illness. Manitoba Building Trades has prepared resources to help Manitoba’s contractors and workers keep their worksites as safe as possible. Browse resources on COVID-19 safety and recovery benefits here.

Since our inception, Manitoba Building Trades unions have been dedicated to improving worksite health and safety conditions and reducing fatal hazards. We do everything in our power to ensure our members go home at the end of the day. Now, let’s make sure they all come back. Get access to the People Connect online portal and find wellness resources for union members.

Aging Manitoba Workforce

A research initiative of Manitoba Building Trades, WCB and Safe Work Manitoba. Our province’s trades workforce is rapidly aging and more and more people are working past the traditional retirement age of 65. It is increasingly important to understand the occupational health and safety challenges of an aging workforce and to develop plans to address them. Find resources below.

Manitoba Integrated Standardized Safety Training

The Manitoba Integrated Standardized Safety Training (MISST) was a two-year project created to conduct research leading to the development of a conceptual model that would guide the creation and implementation of a standards-based safety training system for Manitoba’s skilled building trades. This goal supported Manitoba’s Five-Year Plan for Workplace Injury and Illness, which had as goals: 1. To create a genuine culture of safety and 2. to reduce workplace injury. 

Manitoba aboriginal health + Safety Initiative

The Manitoba Aboriginal Health and Safety Initiative (MAHSI) was a 2-year project committed to developing culturally-appropriate workplace health and safety training for Indigenous workers, employers, and other stakeholders. Browse a full list of health and safety focused resources below. 

TRY THE TRADES - YOUTH EXPOSURE

Try The Trades is a free trades exposure program for high schools and youth groups across Manitoba that gives students a first hand look at careers in the unionized construction workforce. Our new online construction hub is complete with industry info, videos, testimonials, and essential skill tests for math and literacy. Great for prospective students and educators alike. Click here to start exploring and take the first step on the path to apprenticeship!

COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs), also called Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs), are a way to leverage infrastructure dollars to not only build much-needed infrastructure in communities across Canada, but also achieve social benefits in the communities where a project takes place. Discover the impacts of CBAs and how they make a difference for unionized workers.

SOCIAL PROCUREMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK

Social Procurement is the practice of using existing purchasing to promote social, environmental, and cultural goals. It is a growing international practise as it is an effective policy tool to achieve multiple economic and social outcomes and a strong return on investment. View We Want to Work’s guide on how adopting a social procurement infrastructure framework can contribute to a more sustainable community.

IN THE TRADES – RECRUITMENT GRANTS

CBTU’s In the Trades program provides financial and training incentives for unionized Canadian constructors who hire, onboard, train and retain skilled trades first-year apprentices. Contractors can receive $5,000 for new first-year apprentices and $10,000 for onboarding equity deserving apprentices.

LABOUR MOBILITY TAX DEDUCTION

The Labour Mobility Tax Deduction for Tradespeople provides tax recognition on up to $4,000 per year in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses to eligible tradespersons and apprentices. This tax deduction applies retroactively to eligible out-of-pocket long-distance travel receipts from January 1, 2022 and on. Find out if you qualify and start saving your receipts today! 

OFFICE TO ADVANCE WOMEN APPRENTICES

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Manitoba works to amplify industry best practices and have replicated the successful model of the OAWA program originating in Newfoundland,  Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. The OAWA  provides wraparound support services and networking opportunities for tradeswomen, unions and employers. They have also have built a registry database to track tradeswomen’s progress on their career journeys.

WOMEN OF THE BUILDING TRADES

Build Together: Women of BuildingTrades promotes, supports, and mentors women in the skilled construction trades. This program challenges the existing myths of careers in the trades, allowing for a robust conversation on how to engage women in the sector. A number of our provincial councils have created platforms where trades women and industry can network and engage in advocacy. 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE BUILDING TRADES

Build Together: Indigenous Peoples of the Building Trades works to bring more equity and understanding to the construction industry, and support and honour the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Report. Through this program, we have developed Indigenous Awareness Training for the construction industry that is designed to create a base line understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, while preparing participants with career development tools to foster meaningful understanding, respect and relationships in the trades.

PTP COMPASS - PATHWAYS TO WORK

As part of our commitment to building strong relationships with Indigenous communities, Manitoba Building Trades has partnered with Pathways to Work to deliver essential skills training in Manitoba First Nations. PTP consult nationally with educational service providers, offering training tools for assessment and instruction.