List of CANS Education Instructors
Industry Fundamentals & Project Management
Lee Kelly (Constructing Minds Inc.)
Lee has boots on the ground experience. With over 35 years of construction management experience under her belt Lee has gained extensive knowledge and a solid foundation in construction practices, processes and procedures. Lee has successfully delivered projects valued from $1.5mil to $305mil under a variety of contract delivery methods. Lee knows construction because she has built it.
Lee contributes to the construction industry. She is a champion of the Canadian Construction Association Gold Seal program and volunteers her time as a Gold Seal Committee member, Gold Seal application reviewer and exam reviewer. Also, Lee is active in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Lee volunteers because she believes in giving back.
Lee has earned certificates in “Teaching and Training Adults” and in “Instructional Design”. She clearly understands the needs of the adult learner and enjoys training and mentoring others.
Lee’s enthusiasm for the construction industry and training makes her a highly informative, interactive and entertaining Trainer. Lee believes that education is an important part of growth within the industry.
Courses Include —
- Building Construction — Putting It All Together
- Construction Industry Ethics
- Responding Successfully to an RFP
- Project Planning for Success
- Closeout of a Construction Project
Chris Davison
Chris Davison has been an Instructor for 10 years at NSCC and is the Lead Instructor of the Construction Management Program of which he is also a graduate. His Industry experience includes 15 years of general contracting and development consulting. Chris enjoys sailing, biking, and skiing
Courses Include —
- Project Management Fundamentals
Peter Riley
Peter is a graduate of Dalhousie University (Mathematics) and is a past board member for the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors – Maritimes (CIQS – Maritimes). He holds a Gold Seal Certified (GSC) Estimating designation as well as a Construction Estimator Certified (CEC) from CIQS.
During his career, Peter has obtained expertise within the industrial, commercial, and retail sectors of construction including initial budget development, procurement, and risk management. Peter has extensive knowledge and understanding to all types of project delivery methods including (but not limited to) Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, and Construction Management.
Peter’s passion for detail and sound analytical take-off and estimating skills are invaluable from the design development phase of a project through to final completion. His portfolio includes in excess of $750 million dollars of successfully procured projects throughout Atlantic Canada. In addition, he frequently lends his support to industry educational opportunities and has participated in industry-related courses, round table discussions, conferences, and seminars to remain up-to-date with industry standards and advancements in construction.
Courses Include —
- Construction Estimating: The Art of Estimating
Maritime Environmental Training Institute (METI)
Located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Maritime Environmental Training Institute (METI) is a locally owned, registered Private Career College with the Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education.
METI believes in the value of community involvement. Their contributions include having renovated and furnished the Family Room in the Pediatric Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and donating to the patients of the Pediatric Unit. In 2018, METI was chosen as the recipient of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce ‘Business of the Year’ Award.
METI maintains a friendly, fair, and creative learning environment which respects diversity, new ideas, and hard work, distinguishing us as a private career college. Growth and development are imperative to METI’s vision, and they strive to accomplish this by providing students with quality, in-demand, safety training and certifications.
Courses Include —
- Blueprint and Plans Reading
Construction Documentation
Walter Strachan, FCSC, FCIQS, FCDBI, RSW, PQS
Mr. Strachan’s experience includes over 40 years in the consulting engineering industry; all with CBCL Limited. During his career he served as department manager, project manager, corporate quality manager (ISO 9001), and corporate risk manager. Upon retirement from CBCL Limited in 2021, Mr. Strachan started Act 3 Advisory Services, to continue a life-long interest in all things related to project delivery in the design and construction industry. He has served as Chair, Canadian Design Build Institute; President, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors; Chair, Canadian Construction Documents Committee and Board Member, Canadian Construction Association (CCA). It has also participated in several significant Task Teams including MasterFormat; CSC/CSI Uniform Drawing Systems; and the Integrated Delivery (IPD) Task Team.
He is the 2020 recipient of the Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers (CENS) Distinguished Service Award.
Courses Include —
- Construction Contract Administration
- Principles of Construction Documentation
Adam Strachan
Mr. Strachan is a full-time Registered Specifications Writer, with over 17 years’ experience. He is the Group Lead for Project Services for CBCL. Mr. Strachan areas of expertise include the preparation of bid documents, overseeing the tendering process, evaluating bid submissions, overseeing contract administration assignments, and administering quality management systems. He also sits on the Joint Committee on Contract Documents which produces the Nova Scotia Standard Specification for Municipal Services. This consensus driven document involves the input of Contractors, Government, as well as Engineering and Landscape Consultants to produce a document that specifies for the installation of water, sanitary, stormwater systems, pumping stations, and landscaping.
Courses Include —
- Construction Contract Administration
- Principles of Construction Documentation
Leadership Development
Gerard Murphy (Barefoot Facilitation)
Gerard has a 30-year track record of excellence as a facilitator, educator, and speaker. His passion is helping people to engage in conversations that are impactful and influence individual, team and organizational performance.
Gerard has worked provincially, nationally and internationally to provide facilitation, training and consulting services to clients within the voluntary, public and private sectors. He has extensive experience working with organizations to design and deliver learning opportunities and group processes.
Gerard is a graduate of the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University. With a commitment to lifelong learning, he has certifications in public participation, community-based development, leadership development and primary health care collaboration. Gerard is a certified Personality Dimensions® Qualified Facilitator and is a member of the International Association of Facilitators.
Courses Include —
- Leadership Excellence for Managers & Supervisors
- Mastering Tough Conversations for Frontline Leaders
Lean Construction
James (Jim) Johnston
Jim is a Professional Industrial Engineer, holds a CM-Lean designation, is a member of the Lean Construction Institute, an advisor to the Board of the Lean Construction Institute of Canada, and an Accredited Instructor for the Associated General Contractors’ Lean Construction Education Program. He has extensive experience and success implementing Lean Construction tools on construction projects that range in value up to $250,000,000.
He is a nationally recognized trainer and speaker on the topic of Lean Construction having addressed audiences across the country. Jim has 25 years of experience as a consultant and instructor, leading organizations through Lean transformations, implementing quality assurance systems and business process optimization.
Courses Include —
- Certificate of Management in Lean Construction
- Last Planner System: Why it Works & How to Ensure Success
- Implementing Lean Construction
Healthcare Construction
CSA Group
CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. CSA Group is a leader in standards development, research, advocacy and certification around the world. CSA Group has a member base of more than 10,000 volunteer experts with deep technical knowledge and expertise.
These members help to develop standards that meet the needs of a broad array of industries and stakeholders. Accredited by Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in Canada and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in the U.S, CSA Group actively participates in international standards development and harmonization efforts through other global organizations, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Courses Include —
- CSA Infection Control Z317.13:22
- Indoor Air Quality – The Role of HVAC Systems in Health Care Facilities
Microsoft Office
ESCTT Inc. (ES Computer Technologies & Training)
ESCTT are a Computer Training company based in Toronto, providing comprehensive computer development across Canada. Specializing in Microsoft Office applications, ESCTT provides professional computer training and continuing education in many industry verticals. Offering computer training courses which have been accredited by many associations and recognized as industry standard computer training.
ESCTT offers a variety of computer training services for corporate computer users who are seeking to further their ability with the technology tools at their disposal.
Courses Include —
- Microsoft Project for Construction