Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan Inc.
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan offers a varied range of training courses for its members. Our goal is to offer members a selection of courses that will meet a variety of training needs throughout the year.
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Building Capacity From Within Series
Instructor: Professor Tim Wentz
Three-time recipient of the ‘Educator of the Year’ award from the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) as well as the Distinquished Service Award. He has served as a trustee for the Mechanical Contractors Education and Research Fund and is currently a member of the National Education Initiative faculty.
Professor Wentz graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is a registered professional engineer in Nebraska. Additionally, he holds both Master Heating Contractor and Master Plumbing Contractor licenses, is a LEED® – Accredited Professional (AP-BD&C)) and holds an ASHRAE certification as a High-performance Building Design Professional (HBDP). Prof. Wentz served on the Construction Management faculty in the College of Engineering for 25 years until being named an Emeritus Professor in 2018. He is also a very active volunteer within ASHRAE, where he has served as the Nebraska Chapter President for 1997-1998. He also served as Director and Regional Chair for Region IX of ASHRAE and was inducted into the Region IX Hall of Honor in 2005. ASHRAE also elected Tim a Fellow of the Society in 2005. Tim recently served as Society President in 2016-2017 and launched the Society theme for that year ‘Adapt Today to Shape Tomorrow’.
Level 1 Identifying Tomorrow’s Foreperson
November 23, & 30, December 7 & 14, 2021
Online Workshop
This 8-hour course is designed for journeypersons who want to explore the possibility of moving to the foreperson position, journeypersons the company thinks may have the potential to become a foreperson, and newly appointed forepersons. The course offers a high-level, broad-brush view of the techniques and strategies used by foremen to successfully manage all aspects of field labor and project productivity. It will be broken into four-2-hour modules.
What will you learn?
- Participating effectively in a handover meeting
- Implement a project documentation strategy
- Identify and protect project scope
- Manage the crew and the project
- Understand performance metrics generated by estimating
- Fundamental negotiating skills
- Reading and interpreting project schedules
- Identify and manage changed conditions
- Applying a company’s safety program
- Pre-fabrication opportunities
There will be a 30-minute panel discussion on crew behavior, motivation & discipline
.A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $420 + gst
Non-Member Fee $550 + gst
Registration due by November 8, 2021.
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Level 2 Foreperson to Project Manager
November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2021
Online Workshop
This 8-hour course will expose the experienced foreperson to the roles and responsibilities of a project manager. This exposure will help the foreperson decide whether or not to pursue the management position of project manager or assist them in making that transition.The course explores many of the management techniques and strategies employed by project managers to effectively organize and manage a project to achieve optimal productivity and comply with company policy. It will be broken into four-2-hour modules.
What will you learn?
- Difference between a wage and a salary position
- Managing changed conditions to protect scope
- How to organize and run a handover meeting
- Conduct feedback meetings to promote continuous improvement
- Developing a risk management program for a project
- Project close-out techniques and strategies
- Using labor and cost tracking to monitor productivity
- Negotiating techniques to create win/win environments
- Assembling and interpreting project schedules
- Pricing change orders to recover all costs
There will be a 30-minute panel discussion following presentation
A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $420 + gst
Non-Member Fee $550 + gst
Registration due by November 9, 2021.
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Level 3 Project Manager into Senior Manager
TBD
Online Workshop
Guest Speaker: Dan Leduc
This 8-hour course describes the evolution of a project manager into senior leadership within a company. This leadership-centric course focuses on corporate policies and strategies that define how a company develops a competitive advantage to acquire projects, creates a high-performance culture, and promotes a common ethical foundation. Corporate policies on standardization, risk management and performance indicators are woven into a company-wide policy that flows through all of its projects. It will be broken into four-2-hour modules.
What will you learn?
- · Risk/ethical boundaries and decision making
- · Benchmarking performance strategies
- · Risk allocation and mitigation strategies
- · Protecting cash flow
- · Project Delivery Systems
- · Liability, Risk and Leadership
- · Create feedback loops to inspire continuous improvement
- · Developing a competitive advantage
- · The future of our industry and potential opportunities
There will be a 30-minute panel discussion following presentation
A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $420 + gst
Non-Member Fee $550+ gst
Registration due TBD
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CCDC 5A+5B: Construction Management Keys to Success
October 26, 27, 28, 2021
Online Workshop
This 3-part workshop series is live instructor-led training via zoom led by a team of multi-discipline experts (Owners, Consultants and Contractors). Construction Management is about building a collaborative team from the outset of the project to address the key areas of functional requirements, time, cost, quality, and constructability. The Project Owner, Consultant, General Contractor and Subcontractor must understand responsibilities throughout all project phases to fulfil contractual responsibilities and achieve success.
You will learn from a team of industry partners:
- Understanding the Construction Management process and recognize when to use it.
- Learn the roles of each partner for collaborative success.
- Determine when and how to procure Construction Management services.
- Identify tools and techniques to optimize Construction Management performance.
- Grasp the nuances of the different forms of Construction Management contracts – CCDC 5A|5B (industry standard contracts).
- Understand the duties assigned and compensation for Preconstruction, Construction and Post-Construction in the CCDC 5A | 5B.
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Practice the key elements to focus on for project success:
- Engage the design assist process.
- Align budgets to estimates.
- Use design control to promote cost control.
- Apply the learned knowledge to establish the Construction Manager’s compensation.
- Discuss the pros and cons for conversion to consolidated pricing.
- Acquire critical insights into the challenges with the Construction Management Delivery Method.
Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion. A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $499 + gst
Non-Member Fee $649 + gst
Registration due by October 15, 2021.
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How to Forecast a Large Construction Project
November 10 & 17, 2021
Online Workshop
A valuable pair of workshops for quality-driven mechanical contractors, presented by a quality-driven mechanical engineer. These workshops are presented live, in a virtual setting. Project managers learn how to systematically plan, track, and create consistent rolling forecasts. All students receive 4Cast Pro, a 4-in-1 workbook valued at $500.
Session 1: Planning & Productivity
Students dive right into a case study by reviewing the mechanical and electrical drawings and specs of a large commercial tower searching for gaps and overlaps in scope before setting up the job, which comprises three components: the budget, the construction schedule and the billing breakdown. Students learn what these three have in common and how to capitalize on their integration. As students explore various types of work breakdown structures (WBS’s) they will learn why some WBS’s are better at driving productivity than others. Starting with a labour plan, students build their own spreadsheet and learn how to track progress and calculate productivity. Various productivity scenarios are modeled including one that supports construction claims, using near real-time data.
Session 2: Forecasting
Students conclude the case study by reporting the outcomes at various stages of construction. Financial outcomes are reported for months one, two, three, etc. Basic formulas – and more advanced techniques – are used to calculate costs at completion and variances for labour, material, equipment, and subcontracts. Students will also learn how delayed starts and schedule compressions affect a project’s s-curve in interesting and meaningful ways.
* Students will require a computer with microphone and camera to participate in this course.*
COST
MCAS Member Fee $299 + gst
Non-Member Fee $499 + gst
Registration due by November 1, 2021.
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Proposal Pursuit “Strategies for Success”
November 8, 9, 10, 2021
Online Workshop
This 3-part workshop series is live instructor-led training via zoom led by a team of multi-discipline experts (Owners, Consultants and Contractors).
In this workshop you will:
- Learn the key ingredients to prepare a successful Request for Qualification (RFQ)
- Understand the Project Owner’s mindset in soliciting a Request for Proposal (RFP) competition
- Identify “homework” to be done prior to responding to the RFQ/RFP
- Familiarize yourself with best practices when successfully responding to an RFP
- Develop a winning RFP strategy
- Recognize the same techniques for successful Subcontractor submissions
- Understand how to prepare for, manage and excel in the Interview
- Learn about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and create ideas on how to demonstrate your CSR Strategy
- Apply learnings to an RFP case study and table your RFP mini proposal to an evaluation panel
- Enhance your presentation skills by participating in an RFP interview simulation
Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion. A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $499 + gst
Non-Member Fee $649 + gst
Registration due by October 29, 2021.
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Managing CCDC Contracts for Project Success “Do Your Job!”
November 30, December 1, 2, 2021
Online Workshop
This 3-part workshop series is live instructor-led training via zoom led by a team of multi-discipline experts (Owners, Consultants and Contractors) who will provide you with exceptional feedback, great insight and actionable strategies.
Whether you are the Project Owner, the Consultants, or the Contractors, first you need to understand what you have agreed to in the CCDC and related contracts, and why the clause exists in the first place.
Remember when it comes to contracts, it’s not about your own thoughts and assumptions; it’s about what is “written”! In the nuances of the prime contract clauses, there are implications and requirements impacting all partners including the Consultants and Subcontractors.
You will learn from a team of industry partners’ perspectives:
- Learn which CCDC and related clauses and concepts in the different project delivery methods consistently create challenges and conflict.
- Discover what these clauses mean and why they exist.
- Explore how to mitigate the pain points associated with these clauses by developing your “go forward” strategies and practices.
- Apply your skills to a specific scenario by presenting possible outcomes and strategies to achieve alignment by all parties.
Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion.
You will need a computer or laptop with webcam. This workshop involves on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $499 + gst
Non-Member Fee $649 + gst
Registration due by November 19, 2021.
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Be Afraid of Supplementaries to CCDC Contracts
January 18, 19, 20
Online Workshop
This 3-part workshop series is live instructor-led training via zoom led by a team of multi-discipline experts (Owners, Consultants and Contractors) who will provide you with exceptional feedback, great insight, and actionable strategies.
Allocation of risk often gets modified in contract clauses based on Project Owner’s or their lawyer’s past experiences. The issue with modifications to contract clauses is the lack of understanding of what the clause means and its associated risks to Project Owners, Consultants, Contractors, and other Stakeholders.
Remember when it comes to contracts, it’s not about your own thoughts and assumptions; it’s about what is “written”! In the nuances of the prime contract clauses, there are implications and requirements impacting all partners including the Consultants and Subcontractors.
You will learn from a team of industry partners:
· Understand WHAT the risks are in CCDC, CCA and provincial standard contracts that have been modified by supplementary conditions.
· Discover WHY these clauses are modified.
· Develop strategies on HOW to address the impact of these clauses.
· Apply what you have learned to determine COSTS associated with these clauses.
Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion.
You will need a computer or laptop with webcam. This workshop involves on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $499 + gst
Non-Member Fee $649 + gst
Registration due by January 7, 2022.
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CCDC 5A+5B: Construction Management Keys to Success
February 22, 23, 24, 2022
Online Workshop
This 3-part workshop series is live instructor-led training via zoom led by a team of multi-discipline experts (Owners, Consultants and Contractors). Construction Management is about building a collaborative team from the outset of the project to address the key areas of functional requirements, time, cost, quality, and constructability. The Project Owner, Consultant, General Contractor and Subcontractor must understand responsibilities throughout all project phases to fulfil contractual responsibilities and achieve success.
You will learn from a team of industry partners:
· Understanding the Construction Management process and recognize when to use it.
· Learn the roles of each partner for collaborative success.
· Determine when and how to procure Construction Management services.
· Identify tools and techniques to optimize Construction Management performance.
· Grasp the nuances of the different forms of Construction Management contracts – CCDC 5A|5B (industry standard contracts).
· Understand the duties assigned and compensation for Preconstruction, Construction and Post-Construction in the CCDC 5A | 5B.
· Practice the key elements to focus on for project success:
- Engage the design assist process.
- Align budgets to estimates.
- Use design control to promote cost control.
· Apply the learned knowledge to establish the Construction Manager’s compensation.
· Discuss the pros and cons for conversion to consolidated pricing.
· Acquire critical insights into the challenges with the Construction Management Delivery Method.
Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion. A computer or laptop with webcam is needed for on-screen interaction with instructors and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. Tablets or cell phones will not suffice.
COST
MCAS Member Fee $499 + gst
Non-Member Fee $649 + gst
Registration due by February 11, 2022.
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Training is held at the SaskEnergy / MCAS Joint Training Centre located at 1301 Quebec Avenue in Saskatoon unless otherwise stated.
If there is something specific that you are looking for please feel free to contact the office and we would be happy to help you.
Past Courses
- Growing and Developing Service Supervisors
- Small Projects Management
- Making the Numbers Work
- Managing Your Cash Flow
- Financial Statement: What You Always Wanted to Know
Training Testimonials:
"We always believed in ongoing training, and prior to my involvement with the MCAS, was never able to find affordable, quality and trade specific training for my employees. Through the availability of MCAS training programs, we have been able to offer our employees the training required to keep us up to date and become industry leaders in our community. Thank you MCAS."
Luc Kadziolka Owner/President
Mr. Plumber
Prince Albert, SK
The Technical Training Center
The Technical Training Center was developed in partnership with SaskEnergy and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan. This provincial natural gas trades training centre was designed to provide a facility for technical training to both SaskEnergy and the Mechanical Contractors Industry.
This facility is available for rent to our members interested in hosting their own training.
Call the office at (306) 664-2154 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
Cancellation Policy
Once registered, if you are not available to attend, you may send someone else in your place.
If you need to cancel all together, please send written notification to MCAS at least seven business days prior to the course start date for a full refund.