The workers are out there. Most can't find the door in.
I came to Canada not knowing a screw from a nail. Thirty years, every trade and six Canadian firsts later, I train the people the industry says it can't find.
Dr. Bruce Firestone, founder of the Ottawa Senators, calls me a master builder. I talk like a foreman, not a consultant. Real projects, real numbers, no slides full of stock photos.
Pick one, or I'll build it around your audience.
Built Different
From zero to running crews and companies. The real opportunity in the trades, and exactly how people get in. Program launches, conferences, graduations.
Your next crew is already here
Newcomers and career-changers: what they bring, what stops them on day one, and what I've seen work in funded cohorts to get them hired and keep them.
Modular and the workforce
What changes when the work moves into a factory: the roles, the skills, and how to train for them.
Hammond Hill, live
Solar, water and greywater systems running year-round. I've given numerous presentations and live demos here for the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada.
Rooms and press.
- Numerous presentations and live off-grid demos for the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada
- Two Ontario-funded training cohorts for ACCES Employment
- Daydream to Reality, co-developed with Dr. Bruce Firestone, taught for a week in Mérida, Mexico
- City Council, Clarence-Rockland: the Bourget train station redevelopment. Watch →
- Rogers TV Daytime Ottawa. Watch →
- Panellist, RTO9 Tourism Summit, Kingston: retrofitting your business for sustainability. Read →
- Guest, sustainably.eco Podcast, Ep. 37. CFRA 580 Live radio
- Covered by CBC News, Radio-Canada, Le Droit, the Toronto Star, CTV News and the Ottawa Business Journal. All press →
Don't take my word for it.
"I have found Aaron to be a person of integrity, creativity, and follow-through. He brings the same operational discipline to his community commitments that he brings to his businesses. I recommend him without reservation."
"Aaron brought a practical and engaging approach to our construction training at ACCES Employment. He did a great job breaking down tools, safety practices, and construction techniques in a way that was accessible to participants with different levels of experience."
Book a talk.
Tell me the event, the audience, the date and how long you want me. I'll send a short outline and the fee.
Ask about your event Or just email me
aaron@aaronmarkelbuilds.com · Reply within one business day