The world’s first 3D-printed reinforced concrete bridge is almost complete

Eindhoven University of Technology has a massive 3D printer capable of printing immense objects – and it’s currently creating the world’s first 3D-printed reinforced concrete bridge. The video is in German, but gives an excellent visual representation of how the 3D components are being printed. Read more.

Government spending is slowly making its way down the pipe

Rome wasn’t built in a day. A trite expression, perhaps, but one which might comfort builders and other construction sector service and material providers wondering when infrastructure money the federal Liberal government promised in its two most recent budgets might flow meaningfully down the proverbial pipe. Read more.

BIM drives productivity gains in construction sector

Everyone has seen the graphs that show construction on a downward productivity trend while other industries boast solid productivity gains. The following is a productivity graph that was produced by McKinsey & Co. that compares productivity in construction to that of the manufacturing sector from 1994 to 2011. Read more.

The Smartphone’s Future: It’s All About the Camera

We all know the drill. For the last decade, smartphones have gotten thinner and faster and thinner and faster and, well, you get the picture. But it’s too soon to write off our smartphones as boring. Read more.

Strategies to Leverage IoT to Increase Productivity, Attract Millennials to Construction

Triax Technologies offers three tips to embrace technology, improve safety and operations, and attract a new generation of tech-savvy workers to help fill the skilled labor shortage. Read more.

Casting Call: Apply to be Featured in NSAA Promotional Material

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) is seeking your assistance in the creation of a marketing campaign to promote apprenticeship as a great career choice.

Although there are a number of aspects to the campaign, we are asking you to promote and encourage certified tradespersons and/or apprentices to apply to be part of a professional photo shoot, in which the photos will be used for various promotional materials.   Please send this notification to those in your network, or employees who you feel would be willing and prepared to represent their trade and the apprenticeship system.

We are inviting applications for tradespeople and/or apprentices in the following trades/trade sectors:

  • Truck and Transport Mechanic
  • Construction trades
  • Machinist
  • Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

You or your organization have been identified due to your involvement with the apprenticeship system in the above trades.  It is important that the trades be represented by the diversity that exists in the province.

Click HERE for casting call information page.  From there, under the heading “How to Apply” you can find the link that will take you to the casting application.

Please note:

  • Applications are electronic and are sent to a casting company (not the Agency)
  • The locations for the shoots will be work locations that are being reviewed
  • Applicants will be selected and those selected will receive pay
  • Applicants will be required to be at the photo shoot location for at least one full day
  • Applications are required immediately

If you have any questions please contact Erin Hennessey at hennesseycasting@gmail.com.

Thank you very much for your assistance.  We have a great opportunity to promote the apprenticeship system and showcase the wonderful opportunities that exist in Nova Scotia in the skilled trades, but we need to do this together!

Most sincerely,

Dale Crawford
Director, Partnership and Innovation
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

The New Age of Engineering and Construction Technology

New technologies are transforming all stages of the engineering and construction process. Here’s what companies need to know about the evolving landscape. Read more.

Denver ‘Smart’ Development Aims to Go beyond Net-Zero

Naysayers have long ridiculed solar and wind energy because the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. For those technologies to work, they say, we would need large batteries for backup and battery technology was lagging badly. Read more.

Stanford Develops a Robot That Grows Like a Vine

Like a game Snake come to life, a new robot being developed at Stanford grows like a vine and has the ability to weave through tight spaces to provide applications from disaster relief to simplifying construction projects. Read more.