Ontario Construction News staff writer
This holiday season, EllisDon Facilities Services (EDFS) is celebrating more than projects—it’s celebrating people. Through their partnership with Building Up, a social enterprise helping newcomers and aspiring tradespeople gain skills and employment, EDFS is turning opportunity into action across the GTA.
Since early 2023, EDFS’s Mobile Services team has worked alongside Building Up on HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systems projects, providing hands-on experience while keeping client assets running smoothly. Participants—many newcomers to Canada—are gaining valuable training, mentorship, and confidence, all while working toward certified trade roles.
“It was inspiring to see participants’ excitement on-site,” said Mason McColl, Program Director at Building Up. “They left buzzing with confidence, knowing the industry—and EllisDon—supports their future.”
With site tours, mentorship, and tools like Milwaukee impact drills, EDFS is helping trainees take their first steps into long-term careers. “Partnerships like this create pathways for people to succeed,” said Colin Flock, Senior VP, EDFS. “We’re proud to invest in people and the communities we serve.”
This holiday season, EDFS and Building Up remind us that the greatest gift isn’t just projects completed—it’s doors opened, skills developed, and futures built.
