Investing in Tomorrow’s Builders with Edge Factor

Across North America, the construction industry is facing a growing challenge: a shortage of skilled workers at a time when demand for infrastructure, housing and community spaces continues to rise. For EllisDon, addressing this gap isn’t just about workforce planning; it’s about investing early, sharing real stories, and helping young people see themselves in an industry that builds the places where life happens.

That’s why EllisDon partnered with Edge Factor, a career exploration platform designed to connect students with real-world career pathways through storytelling, interactive learning, and hands-on discovery. Together, we’re helping students move from “I don’t know what I want to do” to “I can see myself here.”

Turning Curiosity into Career Possibility

As part of this partnership, EllisDon collaborated with Edge Factor to create a series of career profile videos that spotlight what working in construction actually looks like today, beyond outdated stereotypes. The latest profile features Mehak Mehak, an EllisDon team member whose journey into the industry reflects the diverse, non-linear paths many professionals take into construction.

“You don’t need to have everything figured out to start a career in construction. There are so many paths in, and so many opportunities to grow,” said Mehak, Senior Project Coordinator. “If you’re curious and willing to learn, there’s a place for you.”

Through a series of engaging, short-form videos, students are introduced to:

• How people find their way into construction careers
• What a typical day on site looks like
• How safety is embedded into every aspect of the work
• The technology and tools used to plan, build, and problem-solve
• The leadership and teamwork required to deliver complex projects

By showing the realities of the job, both the challenges and the opportunities, these stories help demystify construction and make it more accessible to young people who may never have considered it as a career option.

Making Construction Careers Visible, Early

Edge Factor is designed to meet students where they are, offering grade-specific, gamified career journeys that align personal interests with future careers. Through story-driven tech skill courses and life skill modules focused on communication, money management, and career readiness, students gain practical insight into what it takes to succeed, both on and off the jobsite.

For EllisDon, this early exposure is critical. Many students simply aren’t aware of the breadth of roles available in construction or how their skills, whether technical, creative, or people-focused, can translate into meaningful, long-term careers. By sharing authentic stories from our own people, we’re helping students see construction not just as a job, but as a profession with purpose, growth, and impact.

Real Impact, Real Reach

Since launching its media initiatives, Edge Factor reports that more than 50,000 students across North America have engaged and been inspired by its content; bringing real workplace stories directly into classrooms and career-planning conversations.

For EllisDon, this partnership reflects a broader commitment to community involvement and workforce development. By investing time, expertise, and real voices from our teams, we’re helping build a stronger, more sustainable industry; one where the next generation is informed, inspired, and ready to step in.

Building More Than Projects

Construction shapes cities and communities for decades. Ensuring there are passionate, skilled people ready to take on that responsibility starts long before a first day on site. Through partnerships like Edge Factor, EllisDon is proud to play a role in opening doors, challenging perceptions, and showing young people that there’s a place for them in building the future.