The premise of the YLG Talks sessions presented by the Hamilton-Halton Construction Association’s Young Leaders Group is that young construction professionals will benefit from topical workshops, information sessions and leading-edge speakers.
But it was hard not to notice at the Feb. 4 session held at the Budget Demolition plant in east Hamilton that there was solid representation from older generations in the sector.
The guest presenters were Simon Marshall, project co-ordinator at McMaster Innovation Park, speaking on Incorporating Virtual Reality into Project Design, and Ray Gallant, vice-president of sales support for Volvo Construction Equipment, whose address was titled Electric Excavators — The Future of Heavy Equipment.
“The things we are talking about are relevant to us as young leaders but also to everyone else,” said Aaron Besseling, project manager with Besseling Mechanical and a Hamilton YLG past chair.
“We are tailoring our content for everybody.”
Fellow YLG organizer Moe Mahmood, an estimator with the civil department of Triple Crown Enterprises of Hamilton, explained that the appeal to veterans in the sector brings value to both younger and older professionals.
“If you want to know where we are going, you need to know where we are right now,” he said.
“We (young professionals) are really good at figuring out pathways and where we want to see the industry go but where we lack is what’s going on right now. We are just entering the industry, we are learning about our clients, what their expectations are, and that is why we need that generational connection.”
The YLG recognizes there is a gap in knowledge between the generations and forums like the one held Feb. 4 will enable professionals of all levels of experience to take steps forward, Mahmood said.
“As young leaders we want young professionals to come out, but that’s not the end of the equation,” he commented.
“We want to see this evolve into a moving think tank. So, we need that expertise.”
Another YLG organizer, Christina Murray, business development manager for the hosts Budget Demolition, reported that the attendance was counted as 40.
“We were really happy with the turnout and the speakers, they were excellent,” said Murray. Of the Volvo presentation, she said, “He definitely got everyone in the room very excited about what is currently available and what is to come.”
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