March 18, 2010

Now a senior partner in the Morsky Group of companies, Wayne Morsky began working part-time for the family firm at age 13.

Filling labour gap a top priority for incoming Canadian Construction Association chair

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Engaging the aboriginal labour force in a more effective manner is a key priority for Regina contractor Wayne Morsky, chair-elect of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).

“The aboriginal community represents a tremendous potential labour source that can go a long way to bridging the gap between pending labour shortages and a new, vigorous and well-trained construction labour force,” he says.

While CCA and the industry have made “some positive strides” in addressing long-term human resources challenges, Morsky says continued promotion of careers in construction remains a top agenda item.

Morsky, a senior partner in The Morsky Group of Companies, a 55-year-old family owned and operated business, is poised to succeed Newfoundland’s Brad Greene, CEO of Project Management Services Inc., as head of CCA.

The association is holding its 92nd annual conference this week aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner.

Morsky, who joined the CCA board in 2002, says another priority for his one-year term of office is to ensure the industry speaks in a “truly united” voice in dealing with government.

“I also hope to promote better awareness of the unique partnerships and relationships that exist between local, regional, provincial and national associations in our industry and how we collectively can best serve the interests and needs of our common members.”

A native of Manitoba, Morsky began working part-time in the family’s heavy construction business at the age of 13. After receiving a diploma in business administration from Red River College in 1982, he joined the company full-time.

Over the years, he moved up the ranks, from site superintendent and project manager to eventually president and then CEO.

The company is involved in diverse sectors of the industry: land development, general contracting, transportation and minefield infrastructure, soil reclamation and stabilization, environmental remediation, pipeline construction and rail line maintenance

Active in industry circles for a number of years, Morsky is a past president of the Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association of Saskatchewan and a past chair of the Western Canada Roadbuilders Association. He has also sat on the board of the Saskatchewan Construction Association.

Morsky currently is on the board of the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure, a transportation research and training hub that is said to be unique in Western Canada.

As well, he is also a founding member and a past president of the Regina chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise.

In addition to families in business, Morsky’s passions include downhill skiing, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and draft horses.

His company is a partner in Morsky Roselea Belgians, a draft horse breeding farm and showing operation in Manitoba.

Morsky, a former chair of the CCA’s environment committee, says the opportunity to assume the CCA chairmanship is “one of the greatest privileges” he has received during his career.

“I follow in the footsteps of many great leaders in an industry that has made our country a better place and will continue to do so for future generations.”

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