CIPH regional co-op liaisons are:

British Columbia region: Norm Ottewell (B.C. Plumbing Supplies) and Sean Kelly (Emco).

Edmonton region: Robert Whitty (Bartle & Gibson Co.);

Calgary region: Gerald Halford (Triangle Supply);

Ontario region: Allen Taylor (Taylor Pipe Supports);

Quebec region: Michel Brunet (BGT); and

Atlantic region: Randy Smith (IPEX).

The goal of the co-op liaison is to provide a link between CIPH members and the participant schools to ensure that identified CIPH member staffing needs are met. In a recently completed survey, more than 40 CIPH member companies indicated their interest in participating in "Creating our Future," with more than 60 potential co-op placements already identified. Members indicated there is an immediate need to fill job functions in technical sales, marketing, and warehousing/logistics. With interest already expressed by post-secondary institutions, the first student placements are expected to begin in the next few weeks.

"Work is well under way and we have engaged all CIPH regions to help move this forward. The feedback from regions, member companies, and post-secondary institutions has been very positive," reported Dennis.

Already CIPH is working in concert with the following schools for pilot placements: Camosun College, Victoria, British Columbia; British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver, British Columbia; Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta; Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario; and Redeemer University College, Hamilton.

"These schools have been unanimous in their praise for the Creating our Future initiative, calling it an innovative and forward-thinking approach to ensuring the long-term vitality of the industry," reported Dennis. A number of additional schools have been identified and will be added to the roster of educational institutions in 2005.

CIPH is a not-for-profit association founded in Montreal in 1933. Members include manufacturers, wholesaler distributors, master distributors, manufacturers' agents, and allied companies who manufacture and distribute plumbing, hydronic heating, industrial pipe valves and fittings, waterworks, and other mechanical products. CIPH wholesalers operate more than 600 warehouses and showrooms across Canada. Total industry sales exceed $3 billion annually.

For further information on the Creating our Future co-op initiative, visit www.ciph.com.

Publication date: 01/24/2005