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Aggregate Productions - Asphalt Paving
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Construction - Major Exavations
Site Martensville,Development SK S0K -0A2
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306-653-2711
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Regina, SK S4P 3C2
306-949-0399
200 Cory Rd., Martensville, SK S0K 0A2
306-653-2711
1880 Winnipeg St., Regina, SK S4P 3C2
306-949-0399
200 Cory Rd.
Martensville, SK S0K 0A2
306-653-2711
1880 Winnipeg St.
Regina, SK S4P 3C2
306-949-0399
200 Cory Rd.
1880 Winnipeg St.
FEATURE
But she’s not alone. She understands more women across the country
are in leadership roles in this industry. And she wants to hear from
those women.
Lipp is starting an exclusive TEC group for women in the heavy construction
industry, or closely associated with it, as an opportunity for
these women to secure a stronger foothold in their respective roles.
“This group would serve as a forum for women in the industry to talk
about common issues and share stories and experiences and challenges
they face,” said Lipp. “Meeting with colleagues will provide them an opportunity
to better their business. A lot of women are intimately involved
in the businesses they own or the ones they work for. We could be pioneers
in creating a TEC group that is comprised of women in a non-traditional
sector.”
Often, TEC groups are comprised of like-minded individuals from
across the country. They meet virtually for a day-long session that consists
of an educational component that features a guest speaker related to
the field and an expert on a specific topic.
Additionally, group members also take part in networking exchanges
and share ideas and experiences.
“It’s a collaborative exercise where everyone helps each other get
better at what they’re doing,” said Paul Martin, a chairperson for TEC
Canada based in Saskatchewan. “You get seasoned and experienced businesspeople
around the table to exchange ‘OCIs’ – opportunities, challenges
and issues.”
Martin says in his experiences with TEC groups, roughly 75 per cent
of members are men.
“We’ve never really done one like this,” he said of Lipp’s plan. “It definitely
would be a unique group.”
Martin is expected to serve as the chair for Lipp’s group. The two are
familiar with each other and have been a part of TEC groups in the past.
Lipp has been a longtime TEC member, while Martin has been a chair for
TEC Canada in Saskatchewan for several years.
Martin says that Lipp has benefitted a lot from her experiences with
TEC and now wants to afford those opportunities to others in the industry.
“I can’t say there was a turning point day,” he said. “It’s really an evolution.
Her leadership skills have grown considerably over the past five or
10 years and TEC has certainly been a part of that. She has done very well
for herself in what is a predominantly male-led industry.”
Lipp says that women interested in joining this group do not have to
be graduates of Harvard Business School. Rather, she says there are only
a few pre-requisites – women who are ambitious and want to improve
their leadership capabilities, women with good business sense and women
with a strong work ethic.
“We have great leaders in this sector,” said Lipp. “Women in this industry
tend to sit in the background. It’s not that our voices are being ignored.
Rather, it’s because we’re not the face of the company and often
not the ones in public, attending meetings and making deals. We assume
more of a behind-the-scenes role. This TEC group could change that.”
Possible candidates for this group could involve women from various
backgrounds, including trades, general contractors, architects or lawyers
who specialize in construction law. Because all meetings are virtual, the
competition factor isn’t perceived to be a deterrent.
Competing companies certainly will have a bevy of opportunities for
work in the near future in Saskatchewan.
26 Think BIG | Quarter 1 2021 | saskheavy.ca
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