Greater Toronto Area
High school students in the Greater Toronto Area can now benefit from a successful North American program designed to introduce them to the wide range of career opportunities open to young people in architecture, construction, engineering, and related areas of the building design and construction industry.
Founded in 1994, the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a free, award-winning, afterschool program with more than 70 affiliates (chapters), operating in 37 states and largely based in metropolitan areas, which deliver the program. ACE currently has over 10,000 students participating on an annual basis. The Greater Toronto Area affiliate is ACE’s first in Canada and outside of the United States.
At weekly meetings, student teams work directly with professionals from leading area firms, who volunteer their time to mentor the teams as they design hypothetical projects, tour local construction sites, and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices.
For students, it’s a unique chance to discover and develop new skills, solidify future goals and get on track to exciting, rewarding careers. In addition, many students form positive relationships with industry professionals who can provide important references for obtaining college admissions, scholarships, internships and full-time employment.
ACE relies on a network of volunteer mentors ranging from architects and engineers to construction managers, contractors, and subcontractors. The program emphasizes all aspects of design and construction industry careers – from professional college career paths to those in the building trades. By informing and exposing students to the myriad construction career options, ACE is helping to build a talented construction workforce for the future.
Students in the ACE program typically work closely with their mentors on projects that provide hands-on experience in solving the types of design, engineering and construction challenges industry professionals confront every day.
The teams often learn how to use advanced computerized tools, such as REVIT, while special exercises and activities illustrate the industry’s demand for young people skilled in math, physics, economics, art and other disciplines.
Many ACE affiliates culminate their program year with special events at which teams present their concepts to mentors, families, teachers and community leaders.
Schools and Students Inquiries:
Gerard McCabe
Mentor-related inquiries:
Anthony Fieldman
Sponsorship-related inquires:
David Sauve
Communications-related inquiries:
Sameer Dhargalkar
Curriculum-related inquiries:
Edith Chow
Jenessa Man
Chair:
Pat Shah, CMiC
Treasurer:
David Sauve, Stantec
Secretary:
Ian Trudeau, Entuitive
Our board is comprised of local industry leaders who make a significant contribution to our affiliate. We are grateful for their continuing support.
If you’d like to experience ACE’s challenges, opportunities and rewards for yourself, contact us today!
I have participated in ACE for 4 years and have really enjoyed it. The program has opened my eyes to the many opportunities a career in construction can bring. Likewise, I have learned presentation skills, team work, time management and group organization, all of which I will use in my career.
