David Oulton Memorial Award

Open to full-time students who will be enrolled in any year of study of Construction Management Technology at the Ivany Campus.

Application assessment will consider

• Financial need
• Leadership
• Community involvement
• Good academic standing
• Preference: self-identification as female

About the award
Dave Oulton has been a driving force in the construction industry for over half a century. He started out working odd jobs but quickly recognized his entrepreneurial spirit early on through his involvement with Metal Masters, alongside Bruce Beeler and Leonard Kitz.

Together with his brother, Ian Oulton, he co-founded Halifax Metal Works (HMW) in the late sixties. Fast forward twenty odd years later, by 1983, HMW folded. Not soon after, Dave and Connie Oulton started their own company—Marid Industries Limited.

Additionally, Dave was very involved in the industry. He sat on many boards as a Director, including the Sector Council, CANS (past Chairman), NSCLRA (past Chairman), CCA, Trustee for the Ironworkers Local 752 Pension and Benefits Plan. He was a pioneer in shaping the great labour relations with the Ironworkers Local 752 and was instrumental in creating Local’s apprenticeship program.

Moreover, in 2007, Dave led the way spearheading the CANS’ 150th Anniversary Industry Campaign. This event fundraised $1.2 million in NSCC scholarships and bursaries for students in construction-related programs. In 2012, Dave was honoured with the Industry Pioneer Award. He was well respected by all in the industry, whether it was the owners, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors or trades.

Above all else, Dave made time for anyone and everyone who wanted to talk construction. Integrity, trust and respect was his founding philosophies and anyone who had any interaction with Dave knew he held true to all three.