Building Calgary’s Future: Inside the Work of the Calgary Construction Association
For more than 80 years, the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) has been shaping the city’s skyline and standing behind the people who build it. What began as the Calgary Builders Exchange has grown into a strong, independent voice for the non-residential construction industry in the Calgary region.
From speaking up on municipal policies to pushing for industry-changing legislation like prompt payment, the CCA works at every level to strengthen the sector. Director of Workforce Strategies, Tammy Amstutz, leads efforts to grow the industry’s talent pool, break down stigmas, and make sure workers have access to the opportunities they deserve.
The CCA’s focus is clear: grow talent, connect members to projects, advocate for the industry, invest in training, and keep an eye on the future. Year-round, it offers everything from technical courses to leadership programs, helping crews and companies stay sharp in a fast-changing industry.
Recent wins speak for themselves. The Tailgate Toolkit, funded by the City of Calgary, brings mental health and addiction awareness straight to job sites, reaching thousands of workers. Honor the Work gives elementary students a hands-on introduction to construction careers, reaching more than 31,000 students in its first year. The TELUS Spark Blueprint exhibit showcases trades as STEM careers and Adopt-a-Shop connects high school shop programs with industry partners, raising over $60,000 in its pilot year.
Tammy remembers one moment from Honor the Work that hit home. In the storybook A Sky-Blue Bench, a young girl learns carpentry to build a bench after losing her leg. For one newcomer student, seeing herself reflected in that story and in the construction, industry was life-changing. “Representation matters,” Tammy says. “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Whether you are swinging a hammer, leading a crew, or simply passionate about building Calgary’s future, the CCA invites you to get involved; sponsor a program, inspire a classroom, or connect at one of its dynamic industry events. For Tammy, that connection is the best part. “We’re watching the city grow up around us,” she says, “and leaving a legacy that will last for generations.”