MECA’s 4 pillars are Information, Connection, Advocacy, and Education. Everything we do needs to align with one of these areas.
Education is the theme of the winter. In this trade, we don’t have a lot of time during the working season. As a seasonal industry, we have the benefit of having time to rest and plan over the winter. Once the spring comes, we need to keep the jobsites moving and get the work done. This gives us a great opportunity to switch gears.
Safety Certification and Training
In 2026, MECA will be launching several educational opportunities for its members. These are designed for field personnel and their supervisors.
We have half and full-day courses running in February and March 2026, including:
- Fall Protection Certification for MB and Ontario
- Risk Identification and Hazard Assessment
- Safety Committee Training
The primary benefit of these courses is that they are tailored specifically to our industry and taught by an instructor with experience in our industry. We will have courses focused on sloped roofing as well as siding/eaves. All practical examples will be based on actual scenarios that you and your workers face in the field. Q&A sessions can get deeper into your specific issues.
Having a great safety program is about more than just checking off the right boxes to show that you and your people have attended a course. Real training involves discussion, feedback, and a commitment to figure out the tricky situations that we often find ourselves in. We can only do that when the people in the room care about the issues and have the same trade in mind.
Insurance
Another education opportunity coming up in winter 2026 is our webinars on insurance work. This is geared toward the sales or operations staff that handle claims.
Most contractors come across insurance claim related work and many companies even have this type of work as a key area of their business. These webinars will be designed to help you understand the software and pricing models used in putting together a quote and scope of work. In talking with contractors, we have learned that there is a lot of confusion regarding how to get the software to give them competitive numbers for their services. Many companies are leaving money on the table that should be part of the job, and this in not good for the contractor or the industry as a whole.
The webinar will be hosted by contractors that know the industry well and are passionate about this topic. We will also offer advice for navigating common issues faced when working with adjusters, insurance companies and the homeowners.
Registration Coming Soon
Dates will be announced soon for these education and training opportunities. We expect them to fill up fast. You will have to be a Member to send people to these courses. We are excited to offer new ways such as these to increase member value.
Become a MECA Member
Not yet a member? There is still time. Get your application in today in order to be eligible for these courses, support industry initiatives, grow your network, gain vital information and grow your business. Apply now to take advantage of all the MECA membership benefits.
Don’t hesitate to email us with any questions.