NORCAT, a Sudbury-based provider of occupational health and safety services, opened the doors to its new Toronto training and development office on January 22.

On hand to cut the ribbon at the new facility were Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky, NORCAT CEO Don Duval, and Dan Fleming, NORCAT Greater Toronto Area Manager.

NORCAT is a not-for-profit technology and innovation centre that develops and delivers programs, services and resources that enhance productivity and safety in such industries as mining and construction. Its new Mississauga office will help the organization target clients and partners in the country’s largest—and fastest growing—construction market.

The new office will offer skilled labour training and development programs and strategic advisory services to construction companies, including compliance and risk management, talent and human capital, and training and development strategies.

McNaughton said he is "thrilled that NORCAT, a leader in skilled labour training and development, is bringing their expertise to the GTA."

NORCAT’s new office in the GTA is its sixth, joining locations in Sudbury, Onaping, Timmins, Thunder Bay and Santiago, Chile. Historically, NORCAT has been recognized for its contribution to the strength of Ontario’s mining and forestry industries. Over the past 25 years, it has trained more than 325,000 skilled labour workers. 

Duval said this depth and experience will be an asset to southern Ontario’s construction industry.

"The technologies that workers are using in their jobs are changing, and the expectations of how workers want to learn is changing at an unprecedented rate," he said. "We understand these complexities and build meaningful training programs that prepare workers for the in-demand, sustainable and well-paying careers that are critical to the province.”

NORCAT also announced on January 22 that it had been recognized as approved provider of the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program. As such, it will help members develop and implement programs to create safer and healthier workplaces. 

"The new WSIB Health and Excellence Program is revolutionizing workplace health and safety in Ontario," said Trina Pharand, NORCAT’s director of advisory services. "As an approved provider of the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program, NORCAT is committed to ensuring that our clients develop well-designed and efficient health and safety programs, allowing their workforce to be both productive and safe on the job – all day, every day." 

NORCAT will establish excellence program chapters in various geographical areas throughout Ontario. The chapters will provide program services, educational and networking opportunities for the mining, forestry, pulp and paper, automotive, construction, healthcare, education, government, manufacturing, transportation and retail and service industries.