The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is looking for innovators with a product or service that can transform the construction industry.
CCA is accepting submissions for its CONtact innovator mentorship program, which connects entrepreneurs and innovators with industry leaders who provide guidance to launch, modify, refine or expand solutions for industry adoption in the Canadian construction sector. The deadline for submissions to be a mentee is Sept. 30.
Since the program began in 2019, 30 innovators have benefited from mentorship. Some of the solutions are now being tested in the industry.
“The success of the program is best reflected in the transformative experiences shared by our mentees,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president at the CCA. “Many participants have described how mentorship has not only enhanced their business communication strategies but also deepened their understanding of their own operations and how to fine-tune them for successful industry adoption. Mentors have played a crucial role in this transformation.”
The program has evolved significantly over the years.
“We began with in-person mentorship sessions, then adapted to a virtual format during the pandemic to maintain connections,” explained Gilbert. “We then expanded to bring selected mentees to the CCA annual conference, in addition to the virtual mentorship meetings, to give them more exposure. This year, we are hoping to increase the number of mentees at the annual conference from three to five.”
Upon becoming a CONtact mentee, individuals will be connected with an appropriate mentor or mentors.
Some of the biggest benefits of the initiative are receiving personalized, one-on-one mentorship from experts and top executives in the industry and exclusive networking with access to industry leaders and potential collaborators.
“The program serves as a vital bridge between established industry expertise and fresh, innovative ideas,” said Gilbert. “Mentors have frequently expressed their eagerness to continue conversations beyond formal mentorship. The fact that they are willing to mentor multiple times indicates the value they see. For mentees, the real benefit lies in the authentic feedback and guidance from industry leaders, which helps them refine their solutions and adapt them to market needs.”
Mentees will have the opportunity to showcase their innovation and present their solutions at the 2025 CCA Annual Conference in Quebec City, including complementary travel and three-night stay.
“While not every innovator may achieve immediate results, the consensus is clear: the connections made and the insights gained are invaluable,” Gilbert noted. “Many have expressed that the relationships forged during the program have opened doors to new opportunities and perspectives within the industry.”
The team is always looking for ways to improve the program.
“We recently revamped our mentor application process to better match mentors with innovators based on their specific needs and aspirations,” Gilbert explained. “We’re also looking at ways to ensure that mentees fully absorb the information and advice given by mentors. Because we realize that there is a lot of insight coming at them from each meeting, we want to enhance their ability to integrate this knowledge into their growth strategies.”
Some of the industry professionals taking part in the program are from Bird Construction Inc.; Bockstael Construction; Chandos Construction; Defence Construction Canada; EllisDon Corporation; Graham; Maple Reinders; and PCL Construction.
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