SENSATIONAL

JOB DESCRIPTIONIt’s a tall order, but someone has to build it. As seniorproject manager for Ledcor Construction Limited onthe 30-storey Epcor Tower in downtown Edmonton,Mike Roper (Carpentry ’00) works an average of 10hours a day keeping the job on schedule, managingand reporting on budgets and monitoring the trades’progress. Nearly four years after he started on theproject, tenants have moved into the building andconstruction is drawing to a close. As with everyjob throughout his 18-year career, Roper’s effortsare rewarded each time he drives past the tower –the first new office tower built downtown in morethan 20 years – and beholds the concrete resultsof his labour.— Eliza BarlowSUCHGREATHEGHTSedmonton’s new 30-storey Epcor Tower marks a milestone inMike Roper’s career as carpenter-turned-project manager.Photo by Jason Nessin 1993 i was looking for a summer job. My dadwas a truck driver with Ledcor and I got on withthe company as a labourer on a job at Bonnie Doonmall. It piqued my interest in carpentry andconstruction work.i did a four-year carpentry apprenticeship withNAIT, graduated in 2000, and got my Red Seal.The way I became a project manager is a little outof the ordinary; most don’t go the field route. I wentfrom labourer to apprentice carpenter, journeymancarpenter, lead hand, foreman, superintendent,project manager and now senior project manageron the Epcor Tower since November 2007.communication skills are key – I learned that thehard way on many occasions. You have to be able todeal with so many different kinds of personalities outthere. If you can’t get across what you need to getacross, it can make or break your conversation.the work-life balance is good. I’m usually homein time for supper and to see my wife, 18-year-olddaughter and six-year-old son. Working longer hoursduring the week is a personal choice so I can have myweekends free.i like building stuff. It’s a really good sense ofsatisfaction to be able to say, “We built that,” whenI drive around Edmonton. It’s really cool.THE SKINNY• Pay: Average: $95,000• Location: With anotherpotential skills shortage on thehorizon, companies are nowlooking to get staff in placeacross Alberta• Work hours: Average: 41.9hours/week; Mike Roper: 57 –60 hours/week• Training: Extensive experienceas project manager, plusconstruction and/orengineering credentialsv5.1 2011 63