Plenty of webinars on tap for RESCON members
By Andrew Pariser
Nov. 3, 2026
RESCON, our members, and the residential sector have kept busy this fall and will continue to work on industry issues into year end.
In this month’s column I want to highlight our fall webinar series as well as other important industry events that will impact the health and safety and labour supply efforts of our members.
RESCON webinars
The RESCON fall webinar series (sponsored by Sherrard Kuzz) kicked off with our Women in Construction event on Oct. 29 and will continue with webinars on mental health, mobile and elevated work platforms and an update on legislative changes related to Bill 105.
Women in construction
The 6th annual Women in Construction webinar focused on resiliency and featured keynote addresses from Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones, Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity Charmaine Williams, and Skilled Trades Ontario CEO Candice Williams.
In addition, there were panel presentations on the State of Women in Construction as well as resiliency. Two presentations by Multiplex and Spotlight Development rounded out the event.
The webinar recognized the contributions of women working in residential construction and highlighted ways to encourage greater participation in the skilled trades.
With the industry facing long term demographic pressures, attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds is essential.
Click here for the full webinar.
Mental health webinar
Another critical topic is mental health.
Construction work can be physically demanding, deadline-driven and stressful. Workers and employers alike face pressures that can affect well-being, relationships and job performance.
RESCON’s 8th annual mental health webinar will be held on Nov. 24 and will continue to bring attention to an issue that deserves the same seriousness as physical safety.
Promoting awareness, encouraging open conversations and helping people recognize when support may be needed are important steps toward healthier workplaces.
A strong safety culture must consider the whole worker, not just the physical risks encountered on a jobsite.
Mobile and elevated work platforms
Physical safety also remains a priority, and falls from height remain a leading cause of injuries and death in construction.
Further, new Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development requirements will come into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
We will have a webinar to inform RESCON members and the broader construction community on the new regulations, training requirements and best practices related to mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and powered elevating work platforms (PEWPs).
These machines are widely used on jobsites, but their operation requires appropriate training, planning and awareness of potential hazards.
Educational sessions help reinforce safe work practices and give industry participants an opportunity to stay current on requirements and responsibilities.
Level Up career fairs
Finally, the Level Up career fairs help introduce young people and job seekers to the possibilities available in the skilled trades.
Through hands-on demonstrations, conversations with industry representatives and exposure to different career paths, these events can help challenge outdated perceptions about construction and demonstrate the range of opportunities available.
RESCON encourages members and industry partners to take advantage of these opportunities, participate in upcoming sessions and share what they learn with colleagues.
Whether through a webinar, a conference or a career fair, every opportunity to learn and connect can make a difference.
Stay safe.
By Andrew Pariser