The CUSW Spotlight Podcast

In honour of the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, and those that lost their lives or were injured in the workplace, Dan has a difficult but important conversation with 𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸, who shares the story of losing his 18-year-old son, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱, in a preventable workplace accident on just his second day of work. 
A moment that changed everything, and a loss that no family should ever have to face.

Instead of turning away and feeling angry, Rob chose to speak up. For the past two decades, he’s been travelling across Canada, working with young workers, unions, and employers to push for better training, better communication, and safer workplaces for everyone.

Their conversation goes beyond reflection. They discuss the reality of what happens when safety is overlooked, the importance of speaking up on the job, and why the first days at work are more important than we think. 
They also touch on the role we all play,  workers, leaders, parents, and coworkers, in making sure everyone gets home safe at the end of the day.

As we are one day from April 28, the message is clear:
𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

Want to connect with Rob Ellis or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at 𝗿𝗼𝗯@𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺 and don't forget to sign the pledge at https://www.mysafework.com/

Make the Day of Mourning, a day for positive change.

Visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at [email protected]. 

And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  

🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

In this episode, Dan is having a conversation with Mark Keyes, a long-time CUSW member who’s been involved at just about every level of the organization.

From serving as a Unit Chair in Niagara Hamilton to working on national committees, conventions, and communications, this conversation gives a look into what it really means to step up and get involved. It’s not always easy, but it’s work that matters, whether it’s supporting members, helping shape decisions, or building something stronger for the future.

They talk about the importance of participation, the value of experience, and why getting involved and having your voice heard, no matter where you start, can make a difference, not just for yourself but for everyone around you.

This one is about being informed, getting involved, and doing your part to build something stronger for everyone.

Want to connect with Mark Keyes or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected]

Don’t forget to visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at [email protected]. 
And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  
🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

In this episode, we’re joined by 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺, a nationally recognized workforce strategist who is reshaping how Canada attracts, prepares, and retains talent across the skilled trades, STEM, and beyond.

With over two decades of experience at the intersection of education, industry, and public policy, Nour has built Build a Dream into a national organization, hosting hundreds of career discovery events over the years, creating scalable workforce solutions, and securing federal funding to advance economic participation for equity-deserving communities.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, Nour brings both vision and action to the future of work.

Throughout the conversation, Nour shares how her work has evolved from breaking barriers to building real infrastructure, connecting talent to opportunity through national employer networks, innovative programming, and measurable outcomes.

Together, Dan and Nour explore the challenges of outdated recruitment systems, the importance of early exposure to career pathways, and what it truly takes to create an inclusive and sustainable workforce development.

This episode dives into the shift from performative conversations to real structural change, and what it means to build a future where opportunity is accessible, intentional, and built to last.

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝗿? Feel free to reach out to her at [email protected]

Don’t forget to visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮 to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email Dan at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮.

🔻𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺
⁠https://www.webuildadream.com/⁠
🔻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵⁠
Access the blueprint here⁠
🔻 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 & 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲⁠

🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

What does it really take to keep the lights on?
In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan talks with Journeyman Power Linesperson Chris Hibbert about what life is really like on the job. Chris describes climbing tall transmission towers, spending long periods away from home, and what the work asks of him physically, mentally, and personally.
Chris talks about how he got started in the trade, the trust that crew members need when they rely on each other for safety, and the close friendships that develop while working on the road.
He also speaks openly about the impact the job can have on family life and the importance of having support at home while building a career in the trades.
The conversation also explores the importance of connection. From leaning on fellow members during difficult times to using resources that support mental health and wellbeing. 
Mentioned in the episode:
The Homewood Health Key Person Advice Line (KPAL) is a 24/7, confidential, bilingual service offering managers, supervisors, and union representatives immediate coaching from senior clinicians. It provides guidance on complex workplace issues, such as employee performance, mental health, or trauma, and can be accessed at 1-800-663-1142
https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/07/HH_KPAL-flyer-1-37-1.pdf
Before the episode ends, Chris shares a simple mindset that has helped him: JUST KEEP GOING. Some days are harder than others, but each day is a new day. Keep pushing forward and make the most of every opportunity.
Want to connect with Chris?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected].
Don’t forget to visit www.cusw.ca to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email Dan at [email protected]. 

🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

Before he became a Health, Safety and Wellness leader with CUSW, David Aviles spent nearly two decades roofing and building a business with his father, learning firsthand what hard work truly means.
In this episode, David shares his journey from starting his construction career at an early age to becoming a Joint Health and Safety Representative at Hydro One and Chair of the CUSW Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.
Since stepping into the role in 2020, David has become a powerful voice for workers, not by policing, but by protecting. He talks about what it really means to represent members, how safety is about people and not paperwork, and why this role has changed him both professionally and personally.
From mentorship and certifications to Mental Health First Aid and collaboration with organizations like the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, David reminds us that safety leadership is about awareness, accountability, and humanity.
This conversation is about culture, courage, and protecting someone’s parent, partner, or child every single day.
Want to connect with David?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected], and if you are looking for training opportunities, visit https://www.cusw.ca/group/cusw/training
If you are considering taking a training course and wondering whether it is eligible for tuition reimbursement, email  [email protected]
Don’t forget to visit www.cusw.ca to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email Dan at [email protected]. 

🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!