Attracting Youth to Municipal Public Works
In June, AORS held a Local Association Workshop in conjunction with its summer Board of Directors meeting. One of the topics discussed was the difficulty some municipalities are having in recruiting and retaining qualified staff, in particular for the public works department. Among many recommendations, one of the strategies proposed was to promote municipal public works as a desirable career path to Ontario youth. Regardless of whether a student is planning on attending college or university, or wants to join the workforce right after high school, there are many opportunities in public works that most young people are unaware of.
To help raise awareness, AORS has developed some resources that members can use to promote public works to high school students in their region. The first is a 4-page brochure that highlights why a young person would want to consider a career in public works, including the wide variety of positions that are available, the different levels of education and disciplines of study that would qualify someone for these positions, and the benefits of working for a municipality. A web version of the brochure can be found here, and printed copies can be requested from the office. A poster version is also available that a guidance counsellor or teacher could post on a bulletin board. It could also be posted at your municipal office, a municipal recreation centre, or anywhere high school students or their parents might gather.
The second resource is a PowerPoint slide deck that members can use to promote municipal public works to young people at a career day at a local high school, or as part of a public works event at their municipality. It covers the same topics as the brochure, and includes speaker’s notes. A copy can be downloaded here, and it can be edited to better suit the audience and the particular needs of your municipality. Members are encouraged to look for opportunities to share this information with local high school students, teachers and guidance counsellors.
AORS Announces the 2022 Driver of the Year
On September 27, 2022, AORS held the 27th Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo in Napanee, ON, hosted by the District 8 Road Supervisors Association. After a 2-year pandemic pause, Ontario’s municipal snowplow operators were anxious to get out and show off their skills. From a field of 27 of the best drivers from across the province, the winner of the John Gloor Memorial Trophy was Ben Kipp, the 2022 Driver of the Year. Ben hails from the Township of Mississippi Mills, and represented the Lanark County Road Supervisors Association at the provincial championship. Congratulations Ben!
Ben (left) is pictured with AORS 2022 President Bill Wilson.
Congratulations also go to 1st runner up Derrick Duval (United Counties of Prescott-Russell, Eastern Ontario Road Supervisors Association) and 2nd runner up Jonathon Smith (Township of Oro-Medonte, Simcoe County Road Supervisors Association).
Thanks to all the competitors, our hosts District 8, the volunteers, and our generous sponsors.
Click here for more info about the AORS Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo.
Will Electronic Logging Device requirements impact you?
AORS has been asked to lobby the Provincial government for a special exemption from the requirement for electronic logging devices in municipal vehicles under HTA reg. 555/06 which can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/060555 (go to “electronic logging devices” for information). After review of the legislation and other research by AORS staff it is not clear that exemptions are required for municipal vehicles. There will be exemptions for emergency response.
Nonetheless, to help us determine if any action should take on behalf of our membership, we ask that you please complete this short survey to better understand how municipalities might be impacted by the new requirements.
We thank you in advance for your time and commitment to ensuring the association fully understands our members’ needs.
National Public Works Week, May 16-22
In partnership with the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA), AORS asks all our members and stakeholders to help celebrate National Public Works Week on May 16-22.
NPWW is a time to celebrate and recognize those tens of thousands of men and women in public works here in Ontario and across our Nation.
NPWW is often accompanied with resolutions and proclamations from provincial and municipal governments. Please consider asking your Council to issue a proclamation officially recognizing NPWW. To assist you, you can download a reference letter and proclamation_template that you can send to your Clerk. We would greatly appreciate the support of your municipality.
Alternatively (or in addition) – The OPWA would also welcome a video message from your Public Works Department for their NPWW event. It would be a great way to show support and recognition of your employees and the thousands of public works professionals across the Province. If you municipality is planning some activity to celebrate NPWW (virtual, of course), please inform John Maheu so we can help promote it.
For more info, visit the OPWA website: http://ontario.cpwa.net/
Support Improved Safety for Snow Plows and Waste Collection Vehicles and Crews
Do you support improved safety for snow plows, waste collection vehicles, and other road service vehicles, and the crews that work on them? Would you support legislation that would require drivers to slow down and/or move over when approaching and passing these vehicles when stopped, similar to what is required for emergency vehicles and tow trucks? Legislation was introduced twice: Bill 171 2016 and Bill 42 2016, both proposed Acts to amend the Highway Traffic Act with respect to waste collection vehicles and snow plows. Both died on the order table after passing first reading.
Many AORS members and Ontario municipalities strongly believe the Act should be reintroduced by the current provincial government. If you agree, please complete this survey and add your voice to the call for improved safety for municipal workers and contractors.
Thank You
The AORS Board of Directors