Jen Hancock is the Vice President of Collaborative Construction at Chandos and the Board Chair of Edmonton Construction Association (ECA). Chandos, a construction company, aspires to become the leading technical builder in Canada, known for an unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustainability across all projects. ECA’s mission is to drive progress in the construction sector by providing exceptional representation and services to its 1,100+ member companies. Being integral to both organizations, Hancock brings a fresh, modern perspective to what can be a very traditional industry.
“I joined Chandos in 2007,” says Hancock. “I was a former teacher working at an engineering firm but was seeking a job where I could be challenged and continue to grow and learn. I applied for an entry-level project assistant position, as I had very little construction experience.”
Her unwavering desire to learn, ambition and passion came through at her Chandos interview. She has now been with Chandos for 17 years.
Hancock smiles, “Here, I am given space and room to pursue ideas. I am able to use my creativity and teaching skills and that allows me to continue to stretch professionally.”
Chandos has been a part of the ECA for years. In 2020 Hancock put her name forward in the election for a director position with the organization.
“Now, I am the first female board chair in the 90-year history of the association,” shares Hancock. “I am very proud of that fact and was inspired to aim for that by Jillene Lakevold, who was vice chair in 2019.”
As the first female board chair and with her sustainability and collaborative work background at Chandos, Hancock is pleased to bring a non-traditional, new and progressive perspective to the construction industry – and it is a perspective that is being adopted and celebrated.
“Construction is at a very pivotal time,” she says. “When I started there were not very many female project managers. Now I see more female field leaders, carpenters, PMs and engineers. I am also pleased to see this shift in many of the companies with which we partner.”
Hancock continues, “Many companies are seeking a different focus, starting with hiring. They ask, ‘what barriers prevent women from construction in the first place?’ Those that ask and correct the course are seeing the rewards of how diversity around the table benefits the company and the industry.”
Another point of passion for Hancock is sustainability.
“When I started, LEED was just taking off and I have seen such a growth in that area. Sustainable design and construction are now a much more common part of the conversation where before it was an add-on after the fact.”
In her roles, Hancock has a high-level view of the pressing issues affecting the construction industry across the nation. At the top of the list – the ongoing trades shortage.
“That is one of the hottest topics and it has been for years,” says Hancock. “Skilled labour shortages affect every industry and across the board, many companies are fighting to attract and retain top talent.”
She notes that when fewer youth are interested in skilled trades as they choose career paths and an aging population is exiting the workforce, the result is a “double whammy.”
“The number of people coming into the industry with skilled trades is far fewer than the people exiting. This impacts production and costs. A less skilled workforce is something to think hard about. Especially, when we know how much buildings impact carbon emissions and climate change.”
There is, as Hancock points out, hope – and action.
“ECA is looking at the issues and the labour shortage is a core topic around the boardroom table. One of the ECA’s strategies is our Tools for Schools program. ECA funds, along with some key strategic partnership resources, are used to help schools purchase tools for junior high students. Many schools have shop programs but lack updated equipment. This year alone we supported 27 schools and we are pleased with the very positive feedback from teachers and staff.”
ECA also goes to Alberta-wide skills competitions to network with youth, teachers and guidance counsellors. The organization also supports Honour the Work, a program aimed at providing resources to teachers and young students that raises the profile of STEAM and trades work, presenting it as a viable, exceptional, long-term career option.
“In collaboration with the Alberta Construction Association and Calgary Construction Association, ECA also advocates at the government level,” Hancock adds. “ECA is a very active voice to government in providing feedback, advocacy and helping shape public policy that impacts industry.”
Many people don’t realize that ECA is one of the largest construction associations in Canada, possibly only second to Toronto.
“Our size really speaks to what the team have done to engage the Edmonton building industry,” says Hancock, “including, from within our association, creating Young Builders Group and WomenBuild. Both initiatives provide interactive, innovative engagement and an open, safe place to network and learn from others.”
As a woman in the construction space, Hancock knows the value of providing diverse, safe, inclusive spaces – and the value those diverse voices bring to spark change.
“It is about bringing a different voice to the table. As the first female chair, I offer a unique perspective shaped by my leadership in collaborative project delivery and climate change. I bring a fresh lens to the boardroom, complementing the excellent work of my predecessors and current directors. Change is essential; each chair brings their own style. Representation matters and there have been some incredible female board directors before me. It’s fulfilling to be a female leader, paving the way for other women in the industry. I hope to inspire others to aim for leadership roles and succeed, showing that it’s possible for anyone.”
Looking beyond the boardroom, Hancock sees incredible opportunity for all across the province.
“The modern Alberta Advantage is tied to our access to so many resources. We live in a great province with ready access to sunshine, agricultural land, water and mountains, all which help drive a high standard of living. Our oil and gas reserves, apart from being another huge advantage, have driven innovation over the years. The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit support economic growth and can support sustainable innovation and growth. We are looking to a future that has challenges in climate change and sustainability. If Alberta is respectful with all our resources, we will continue to have a major future advantage.”
How does she see this playing out on the economic world stage? Where others bring finance or luxury exports to the market, how is Alberta perceived with our offerings?
The perception of Alberta primarily being oil and gas persists, but Hancock knows it won’t stay this way.
“If you were to go outside of Alberta and ask around Canada or around the world, we are still known as an oilsands province. Commercial construction is not always well recognized or given the credit is deserves for the impact it has on the economy and our lives in general. When ECA advocates to government we know that the energy sector has a major impact, but we point out that so does commercial construction. Currently construction is often overshadowed, underrecognized and under appreciated. Part of this perception is driven by familiarity. We are in buildings every day and it’s easy to take them, their impact and benefit, for granted.”
Hancock looks forward to continuing to change the perception of the industry at large and the diversity that can thrive within it. She knows Edmonton is the pivotal place to make it all happen.
“There is a mural in downtown Edmonton that says, ‘taking a risk is the most Edmonton thing you can do.’ I agree. There is an entrepreneurial spirit here that is different from other cities and that translates into the construction space. When I see projects like the PRIMED Mosaic Centre, which was Edmonton’s and Alberta’s first Integrated Project Delivery Building (IPD) in addition to being a LEED Platinum Certified and a net zero energy target commercial building, and when I see IPD and LEED projects continue to grow, it is clear that Edmonton is leading in these spaces.”
She also highlights the passion of the Integrated Project Delivery Alliance and the ambition of Honour the Work’s founder Angela Coldwell as prime examples of Alberta and Canada’s entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. In fact, Edmonton companies played a huge part in founding the IPDA eight years ago.
Hancock also proudly praises Chandos’ B Corporation certification, achieved through a dedicated commitment to employee welfare, climate sustainability and community engagement. This certification underscores Chandos’ holistic approach to business, emphasizing responsibility towards employees, society, and the environment, setting a commendable benchmark in the construction industry. She further acknowledges the pivotal roles played by Tom Redl and Tim Coldwell while they were at Chandos, who inspired big-picture thinking, collaboration and advancement within the organization. Similarly, John McNichol’s leadership at ECA facilitated a cultural shift towards inclusivity and member engagement, laying a foundation for a more successful future.
“John was one of the big reasons I put my name forward for a director position in 2019, says Hancock. “His leadership at the time was a big part of the foundation of the association’s big culture shift in 2010.”
What does the future hold for Hancock, the industry, Chandos and ECA? According to Hancock, it is all intertwined.
“Collaborative project delivery in construction will empower safer more inclusive spaces where people, can thrive. Chandos will continue to evolve our technology and expertise as a socially conscious company, knowing the importance of focusing on climate and sustainability. The technical nature of how buildings are built in the future will be a big part of this and we will continue to elevate our game in this space. ECA will continue its mission, including addressing the labour shortage, industry leadership, development and maintaining strong relationships with government so we continue to have an active industry voice are all part of ECA’s future.”
In this day and age where technology and innovation have erased borders, having a diverse, active, engaged, socially aware workforce is not only possible – it is vitally important. With leaders like Hancock at the helm bringing in new ideas, fresh perspectives and a drive to create lasting change, the future of construction in Edmonton, and across Alberta, is poised on the brink of something big. Stay tuned. The world is changing and Hancock, ECA and Chandos are helping to build that brighter future.
Learn more at chandos.com and edmca.com.