PTAG News and Events

PTAG Congratulates Ted Blackmon on Election to the National Academy of Construction Class of 2026

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Congratulations to PTAG’s Ted Blackmon, on being elected to the National Academy of Construction Class of 2026.

The National Academy of Construction recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the effectiveness of the construction industry over the course of their careers. Election to the Academy reflects peer recognition of exceptional leadership, personal integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing the health and performance of the industry.

Ted’s career has been defined by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to improving how projects are planned and delivered. His pioneering contributions to Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) have helped shape industry thinking and support more effective project execution across complex capital projects.

Beyond his technical contributions, Ted has consistently demonstrated a willingness to share knowledge, mentor others, and support the broader construction community. His election to the NAC reflects not only his accomplishments, but also the positive impact he has had on peers, project teams, and the industry as a whole.

PTAG is honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to joining colleagues and industry leaders in recognizing Ted at the formal induction ceremony in September.

Congratulations, Ted, on this outstanding achievement.

PTAG Launches Workforce Development Practice #2

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PTAG Launches Workforce Development Practice to Address North America’s Critical Infrastructure Workforce Shortage

New platform positions PTAG as a leader in developing the workforce required to deliver the next generation of energy, infrastructure, and industrial capital projects


Markham, ON – April 22, 2026 — PTAG Inc. (PTAG) today announced the launch of its Workforce Development Practice and the appointment of Rachel Sumner as Senior Director, Workforce Development, a recognized leader in workforce development and former CEO of Ontario Tech Talent. This strategic expansion positions PTAG to address one of the most significant and persistent constraints facing major capital programs across North America: the growing shortage of both project professionals and the skilled craft required to deliver them.

As unprecedented investment accelerates across onshored manufacturing, data centers, electric vehicles, mining, and energy infrastructure including nuclear and grid modernization, is entering a sustained and quantifiable workforce deficit across both project professionals and skilled craft labor. Demand for project professionals across engineering, project management, construction, supply chain, project controls, safety, and quality is projected to require hundreds of thousands of additional workers annually through the mid-to-late 2030s. At the same time, the shortage of skilled craft labor is projected to exceed professional workforce demand by a factor of three to four, establishing a long-term structural constraint on the ability to deliver major capital programs across the built economy.

PTAG’s Workforce Development Practice is purpose-built to address this challenge at scale, enabling capital project owners, utilities, and industrial operators build scalable, resilient workforce ecosystems aligned to long-term capital portfolios.


“This is not a future problem—it is the defining constraint on project delivery today,” said Michael Dubreuil, Managing Partner at PTAG. “Owners are facing a structural shortage of both professional and craft labor at a scale we have not seen in generations, with demand continuing to accelerate across the built economy. Workforce strategy must now be treated as a core component of capital project execution fully integrated into how projects are planned and delivered, rather than treated as a downstream HR function.”


The new practice delivers a structured, programmatic approach to workforce development, integrating strategic workforce planning, talent pipeline development, and reskilling programs directly into capital project delivery models. PTAG enables clients to forecast workforce demand, define critical roles and capabilities, and build multi-year workforce strategies that ensure execution readiness and workforce alignment across complex project portfolios.

Key services include:

  • Strategic workforce planning aligned to capital portfolios
  • Role and capability architecture across project delivery functions
  • Design and delivery of integrated talent pipelines spanning youth outreach, early-career pathways, and mid-career transitions
  • Workforce redeployment and reskilling programs to support AI adoption and digital transformation
  • Development of strategic partnerships with academic institutions, trade organizations, Indigenous communities, and workforce agencies

A core pillar of the practice is early workforce development, where PTAG partners with community youth groups, middle schools, and high schools to actively promote careers in the skilled trades and project professions. These initiatives are designed to reshape the perception of industrial careers, highlighting them as high-value, technology-enabled, and financially rewarding career paths, while systematically building a sustainable pipeline of future talent to meet the demands of North America’s infrastructure and energy transition.

Fully integrated within PTAG’s Advanced Project Delivery (APD) platform, the Workforce Development Practice embeds workforce planning directly into project execution. By linking workforce requirements to Path of Construction, work packaging, and project controls, PTAG enables clients to proactively reduce labor-driven delays, improve cost predictability, and enhance overall project performance.

Rachel Sumner is a recognized leader in workforce development, bringing over two decades of experience building and scaling workforce platforms at the intersection of industry, education, and emerging technologies. As former CEO of Ontario Tech Talent, she led the creation and commercialization of an AI-enabled workforce development enterprise designed to deliver rapid, competency-based training aligned to industry demand, growing the organization into a multi-million-dollar operation with a clear path to significant recurring revenue.

She has led large-scale, first-of-a-kind initiatives with transformational impact, including the development of national workforce strategies in the nuclear sector and major digital learning and workforce programs with global organizations. Rachel’s expertise spans workforce ecosystem design, strategic partnerships, and the integration of AI into talent development—making her uniquely positioned to lead and scale PTAG’s Workforce Development platform.

“Workforce development must evolve from reactive hiring to intentional system design,” said Rachel Sumner, Senior Director, Workforce Development at PTAG. “We are enabling clients build workforce ecosystems that are aligned to how projects are actually executed—ensuring the right people, with the right skills, are available at the right time. That includes engaging earlier with students and communities to build awareness of the opportunities available in both the trades and project professions, and creating pathways that directly connect education to real project careers.”

As part of the launch, PTAG is establishing strategic alliances with leading institutions including Ontario Tech University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Calgary, and University of Texas, alongside industry and workforce partners. These collaborations will support the design and development of sustainable, regionally grounded talent pipelines aligned to the growing demands of infrastructure and energy transition programs.

The launch of the Workforce Development Practice reinforces PTAG’s position at the forefront of capital project innovation—extending its leadership beyond project systems and delivery methodologies into the human capital systems required to successfully execute major capital programs at scale.

To learn more about PTAG’s Workforce Development Practice, visit www.ptaginc.com or connect with the PTAG team.

About PTAG

PTAG is a capital program and project management consultancy dedicated to improving project outcomes through innovation, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative contracting. With expertise across nuclear energy, power generation, mining, oil & gas, and heavy infrastructure, PTAG helps clients apply Advanced Project Delivery (APD) methodologies to enhance predictability, efficiency, and performance. PTAG operates globally from offices in Houston, Portland, Oakland, Toronto, Calgary, and Southampton.

PTAG and Assystem Sign Strategic MoU to Advance Nuclear Infrastructure and Waste Management Projects Across North America

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PTAG Completes Acquisition of Construct-X, Expanding Capabilities in Advanced Work Packaging and Lean Project Delivery

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Toronto, ON – July 28, 2025– PTAG Inc. (“PTAG”), a leading provider of integrated project consulting services for capital projects, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Construct-X, a U.S.-based consultancy recognized for its leadership in Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) and Lean Project Delivery.

The transaction closed on June 30, 2025. With the integration now complete, Construct-X’s tools, methodologies, and expert team have joined PTAG’s expanding Advanced Project Delivery platform to accelerate digital transformation and operational excellence across the capital project lifecycle.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone in PTAG’s mission to lead the industry in project delivery innovation.”

“Construct-X brings unmatched expertise in AWP and Lean practices that align perfectly with PTAG’s client-first collaborative project delivery approach. Together, we are even better positioned to drive measurable improvements in predictability, performance, and project outcomes.”

said Michael Dubreuil, Managing Partner at PTAG.

As part of the acquisition:
• Ted Blackmon, formerly CEO of Construct-X, joins PTAG’s Board of Directors and executive management team as Special Advisor.
• Fernando Espana now leads PTAG’s Advanced Project Delivery practice, scaling project best practices globally.

Construct-X has been at the forefront of AWP deployment for nearly two decades, enabling owners, EPCs, and contractors to adopt structured, scalable delivery models that enhance field productivity and capital efficiency.

“PTAG and Construct-X share a common vision for transforming how capital projects are delivered.”

“We’re excited to bring our legacy and expertise into the PTAG ecosystem and continue shaping the future of AWP, Lean, and digitally enabled project delivery into what the industry is calling Advanced Project Delivery.”

said Ted Blackmon.

All Construct-X employees have successfully transitioned to PTAG. Clients can expect seamless service continuity and an expanded suite of integrated offerings.

Interested in working with PTAG? If you are a project owner, an EPC, contractor, or professional seeking to elevate project delivery or advance your career with an industry leader, we’d love to connect.

PTAG Joins Mining4Beer in Toronto: A Night of Networking and Industry Camaraderie 

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Get ready for an evening of great conversations, industry connections, and, of course, some well-earned drinks! PTAG is thrilled to be a sponsor at Mining4Beer, a premier networking event that brings together professionals from the mining and construction sectors in an informal and engaging setting. 

Event Details: 📍 Location: Scotland Yard Pub & Cathedral Bar, 56 The Esplanade, Toronto 

📅 Date: March 2, 2025 

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – Midnight’ish 

As a proud sponsor, PTAG is excited to support this event that fosters collaboration and builds valuable relationships within the mining and construction industries. Whether you’re a seasoned expert, a young professional, or someone looking to expand your network, Mining4Beer offers the perfect opportunity to connect with industry peers in a relaxed and friendly environment. 

This Toronto edition of Mining4Beer promises an evening filled with engaging discussions, potential business opportunities, and the chance to meet some of the brightest minds in the field. As always, good drinks and great company are guaranteed! 

Come raise a glass with PTAG and fellow industry professionals at Mining4Beer Toronto—we look forward to seeing you there! 

Remembering our Friend and Colleague, John McNabb

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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John McNabb, a cherished member of our PTAG family.  John brought an unmatched passion and dedication to his role, and his contributions were instrumental in driving the success of numerous projects.

With over 50 years of extensive experience in project and construction management, John was known for his keen insight, exceptional leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He was a trusted advisor, a mentor to many, and a respected voice in our industry. His work was not just about managing projects; it was about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that every endeavor was executed to the highest standard. His unparalleled expertise in developing, planning, and executing large-scale capital projects has shaped the industry, setting standards that continue to guide best practices today.

John was not just a leader; he was a mentor to hundreds of industry professionals who have gone on to become leaders in their own right. His dedication to mentoring and teaching the next generation of project managers is a testament to his passion for the field and his commitment to excellence. Those fortunate enough to work under his guidance became known as “McNabbies,” a badge of honor that signifies the high standards and unwavering integrity John instilled in his teams.

Throughout his illustrious career, John was renowned for his ability to challenge conventional thinking. He was the first to question assumptions when he disagreed, but he always listened with respect and an open mind. Equally, he was the first to offer praise when he believed you were right. This balance of critical insight and encouragement made him a beloved and respected figure among his peers and protégés.

John joined PTAG in 2009 to work on the TransCanada Keystone Project in Houston, where he played a pivotal role until 2012. His leadership extended to significant roles in subsequent projects, including the Marcellus Shale Pipelines in Ohio and the Motiva Chemical Refinery in Houston, among others. His contributions were not only vital to the success of these projects but also to the overall well-being and reputation of PTAG. John taught us the right way to manage large, complex capital projects, embedding his wisdom and experience into the very fabric of our industry.

As we mourn the loss of a dear friend and colleague, we also celebrate the lasting impact John made on our organization and the lives of so many around him. His legacy lives on through the countless professionals he mentored, the projects he brought to fruition, and the industry standards he helped define.