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The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) congratulates the first cohort of the Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership, a new professional development program that was the result of a partnership between CANS and Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management’s Executive Education.

“Construction is one of the largest industries in Nova Scotia and one that is continuously growing and evolving in Canada,” says Duncan Williams, President of CANS. “The level of sophistication required to successfully compete locally, regionally or globally on increasingly complex projects commands exceptional leadership from people with great potential. We applaud all participants on their dedication to investing in leadership development that contributes to both their own and their organizations’ success.”

The Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership was designed to support high potential candidates in Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

“Our innovative approach to Executive Education is grounded in creating custom programs that are contextualized for the client’s industry,” says Deborah Merry, Director of Executive Education at Dalhousie University. “Our programs are intended to have immediate impact on the organization.”

“The goal of the CANS’ program is to provide participants from member organizations an opportunity to develop critical leadership skills that enable them to increase their organization’s productivity, innovation and competitiveness. In developing the program we also kept top-of-mind the prior experience of the participants and their availability of time. We want the program to be accessible and for participation to be manageable for busy leaders in the construction industry,” said Merry.

The cohort-based program, consisting of 15 courses, is delivered through a blend of face-to-face learning, pre-course work, and a variety of learning methods such as group activities, open discussions and practical applied exercises. The program satisfies 25 educational credits for qualified candidates seeking to obtain their Gold Seal Accreditation, a nationally recognized level of experience and competence. The program is offered every fall and welcomes qualified candidates.

"The Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership program was a game changer in certain aspects of my role,” says Matt Brunt, division manager of Bird-Stairs and a graduate of the program. “The participants in the program are now trusted advisors and friends, making the experience more rewarding.”

 Graduation certificates will be awarded to the first cohort of the Executive Certificate in Construction Leadership program on Thursday, April 9 at Dalhousie’s University Club from 5:00-7:00pm. Follow CANS and Dalhousie Executive Education on Twitter for photos and updates of the event - @Construction_NS and @DalExecEd