Mos Wanted: Movember Foundation searches for Construction Ambassadors

Key Takeaways:

• Movember is launching the Construction Ambassador Program to promote men’s health awareness, especially within the high-risk construction industry. Ambassadors will lead efforts to raise awareness and funds for issues like testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health challenges.
• Ambassadors will act as role models, driving change and encouraging conversations on men’s health in their workplaces.
• Both men and women can participate in this movement. “Mo Sisters,” play crucial roles by organizing events, spreading awareness, and supporting fundraising efforts.

The Whole Story:

Movember, a global movement to raise awareness of men’s health issues, is launching a new ambassador program to help save lives in Canada’s construction sector.

These ambassadors will champion the month-long challenge that sees moustaches grown to raise awareness of men’s health issues, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, depression and more. 

With November right around the corner, the Movember Construction Ambassador Program is now officially open for applications. Be sure to sign up before Sept. 25 so you can receive your ambassador training.

Mitch Hermansen, director of development at Movember, explained that the construction industry faces unique challenges when it comes to mental health. It’s a high-pressure environment, often involving long hours, physical strain, and demanding schedules. Many construction workers operate in environments where the old-school “tough guy” mentality still dominates, making it difficult to speak openly about mental health. 

Unfortunately, this has contributed to some eye-opening stats—men account for 75% of all suicides in Canada, and those working in construction are even more at risk.

“Our Construction Ambassador Program is here to break down those walls and empower individuals within the industry to lead the charge for men’s health,” said Hermansen. “Ambassadors are like the foremen of this movement—rallying their teams, spreading awareness, and turning those moustaches into symbols of change and conversation starters. By becoming an ambassador, construction professionals are building more than just projects; they’re building communities where health and wellbeing are prioritized.”

As a Construction Ambassador, you’ll receive:

• In-person training: An in-person training day in Vancouver on Friday 4th October at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association office, or through an online training session for those who can’t attend in person.
• Dedicated support: A Movember staff member to guide you every step of the way.
• Exclusive swag: Show your Mo pride with our Ambassador pack, including T-shirt, Movember Flag, posters and other promo gear to bring your campaign to life.

Hermansen explained that as a Construction Ambassador, your role will be to rally your workplace and the wider construction industry to take part in Movember. Here’s how you will make a difference:

• Be a positive role model and ambassador for men’s health in your workplace
• Be an engaging source of men’s health info for your colleagues and those around you
• Recruit a committee of colleagues and senior team members to take part in Movember
• Coordinate and lead a team that raises +$2,500 for the men’s health
• Organize and host fundraising events throughout Movember
• Give men’s health talks in your workplace

The movement isn’t just for men. Hermansen stressed that women play a huge role in driving this change too. 

“Our Mo Sisters in the construction industry are champions of men’s health, acting as partners, mothers, sisters, friends, and colleagues who inspire the men in their lives to take action,” he said. “They rally the troops, host events, spread awareness, and lead fundraising efforts. You don’t need a moustache to make an impact, and we couldn’t do what we do without their unwavering dedication and support.”

Ambassadors are like the foremen of this movement—rallying their teams, spreading awareness, and turning those moustaches into symbols of change and conversation starters.

Mitch Hermansen, director of development, Movember

The Movember movement within Canada’s construction sector has seen explosive growth that organizers plan to build on. In 2023 over 100 construction companies took part in Movember’s Construction Challenge raising $700K in lifesaving funds and awareness for the 30 days of Movember.

“This program has already seen fantastic success in other industries like energy, where tight-knit communities and high-pressure work environments make ambassadors key to driving change,” said Hermansen. “We’re confident that, with the leadership of our Construction Ambassadors, we can create a similar impact in this sector—because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that construction folks know how to get the job done.”