MCSC’s board of directors are excited to welcome Marnie Bickerton as our new Executive Director, beginning September 21. Marnie will succeed Carol Paul, who is retiring after an incredible 14 years of dedicated service to MCSC, the construction industry, and the countless stakeholders that benefited from Carol’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Carol will stay on with MCSC until the end of 2026, leading this November’s Manitoba Women in Trades conference that she founded while providing invaluable transition support for Marnie. We’ll showcase Carol’s remarkable achievements in her final months ahead. For now, we introduce you to Marnie and her vision for MCSC.

1. What drew you to MCSC and the opportunity to serve as Executive Director?

I had the privilege of working with Carol and the MCSC team while at Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, creating sector-driven micro-credentials and workforce-development initiatives. That experience showed me MCSC’s ability to bring employers, training partners, government, and communities together around practical solutions.

I am excited to join an organization that helps Manitobans access meaningful construction careers while supporting an industry that is essential to Manitoba’s homes, infrastructure, communities, and economic growth.

2. What are your top priorities as you begin?

My first priority is to listen and learn—from the MCSC team and board, employers, training providers, labour partners, governments, community organizations, apprentices, and workers. I want to understand what is working well, where the most urgent gaps are, and where MCSC can have the greatest impact.

I see four connected priorities: attracting people to construction careers; strengthening pathways into training, apprenticeship, employment, and certification; supporting employers to retain workers; and building digital readiness across the sector. Construction employers need people who are skilled, adaptable, job-ready, and comfortable with the tools used on modern projects.

MCSC can play an important role by connecting partners, bringing forward employer perspectives, and advancing practical workforce solutions.

3. What are MCSC’s greatest opportunities?

Construction is central to many of Manitoba’s and Canada’s priorities, including housing, infrastructure, clean energy, transportation, and community development. That creates a significant opportunity for MCSC to help ensure the sector has the people, training capacity, and partnerships needed to meet demand.

There is such opportunity with increased federal and provincial investments in apprenticeship and workforce development. This creates an opportunity to work with employers and partners to turn policy and funding momentum into accessible, industry-responsive career pathways. Manitoba’s 2026 budget increased support for apprenticeship training, helping expand capacity to train more apprentices.

Broadening participation will also remain essential. MCSC has an important role in supporting women, Indigenous people, newcomers, young people, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented Manitobans to enter, succeed, and build lasting careers in construction.

4. What are the biggest challenges?

The challenge is not only attracting people into construction; it is helping them move successfully from initial interest to training, employment, apprenticeship progression, and certification. People need technical training, workplace experience, mentorship, and support to succeed over the long term.

Sustainable and flexible funding is another consideration. Workforce needs can change quickly, while effective partnership-based programming often requires dependable, multi-year investment.

I see these challenges as a call for coordination. MCSC can work with industry, governments, training organizations, and communities to identify barriers early and develop practical solutions together.

5. What role should MCSC play in the community?

MCSC should be a trusted bridge among construction employers, industry associations, workers, educators, governments, and communities. Our role is to ensure that workforce needs are understood and that Manitobans can see and access real pathways into rewarding construction careers.

I hope to strengthen relationships by showing up, listening carefully, and following through. The strongest partnerships are built when people feel their expertise is valued and collaboration leads to concrete results.

6. What do you do to recharge?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my senior dog, and spending time at our cottage in Gimli. I also enjoy learning through audiobooks, podcasts, and conversations. That curiosity and openness to new ideas are qualities I hope to bring to this role every day.