The B.C. government and the Construction Foundation of BC announced today the new Construction Ready Pilot Project to help B.C. students build their careers in the construction industry while they are still in school.

Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training, and representatives from the Construction Foundation of BC, launched the project in Salmon Arm while touring the skilled trades and woodworking shops at Salmon Arm Secondary school. Local employers, industry representatives and educators had the opportunity to check out the progress the students were making on their latest projects, wood sheds.

The project announced today is worth $923,000 in total, including $798,000 from the Province through the Sector Labour Market Partnership (LMP) program, and $125,000 from industry partners. The Construction Foundation of BC will also contribute $100,000 to the apprenticeship training costs of students who complete the pilot and are offered employment.

The Construction Foundation of BC and project partners created the Construction Ready Pilot Project, with support from the Province, to meet the industry’s growing need for skilled workers. The goals of the project are to increase the students’ awareness of construction careers, while also making them aware of the attitudes, skills and knowledge that employers are hiring for. Not only will this project help students plan for their future construction careers and start training early in schools, it will also help employers gain the workforce they need for their operations. 

To achieve these goals, the project committee has developed an interactive app based on qualities that construction employers look for in their employees. The app provides activities and tasks to help students identify the skills they already have, other skills they currently lack and how they will gain those in the future. The results help employers find students who are ready to work after graduation and have the qualities that they look for – qualities that may be hard to identify in a typical resume or interview.

The Construction Ready Pilot Project is funded through the Sector Labour Market Partnerships program under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. The program helps employers understand and respond to changing labour-market demands, ensuring that training and education programs in B.C. are aligned with industry’s labour-market needs and priorities.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training –

“The Construction Ready Pilot Project is a great tool that will connect B.C. students with construction industry employers. I’m excited about this project led by the Construction Foundation of BC, with support from the province, schools and industry partners. One of the feedbacks we’ve heard from B.C. employers is the importance of recruiting students and workers with the right attitude, so they can train them for the skills they need in the future. This pilot project does exactly that, and I hope more students, schools and employers will take advantage of this opportunity, as this pilot expands to other schools.”

Abigail Fulton, executive director, Construction Foundation of BC –

“Buildforce Canada’s latest data indicates that up to 16,800 construction jobs in B.C. will be unfilled by 2025, it is evident that we have some work to do. With shortages of this magnitude on the horizon, it is imperative that we encourage and support high school students to pursue careers in construction. Construction Ready is just one way we can help to mitigate future skill shortages.”

Cameron Betts, president, Betts Electric –

"The Construction Ready initiative takes a huge step towards bridging the gap between the education system and the work force.

“It sets out the employer’s expectations and provides youth with the tools to demonstrate they are work ready, this will enable employers to connect with youth more efficiently than ever before.”

Angela McKerlich, surety and construction division manager, Capri Insurance –

“The response we have had from employers, educators and students to the initiative has been remarkable. As a member of the board for the Construction Foundation of BC, we are focused on working with the staff to look to the future and develop ways we can support the next generation of industry leaders.”

Quick Facts:

• The Construction Foundation of BC supports the advancement of the construction industry through education, research, and contribution to charitable initiatives. 
• The Construction Ready Pilot builds on an earlier Sector Labour Market Partnership Program project led by the British Columbia Construction Association in 2015.
• Construction Foundation’s latest initiative, Construction Ready, was developed to empower young people in high school to begin getting work-ready for a career in construction.
• The Construction Ready Pilot Project has been tested in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton school districts before the launch in Salmon Arm today.
• According to the B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook, B.C.’s construction industry is one of the major industry groups forecasted to have the most job openings in the province by 2025.
• Up to 73,000 job openings are expected in the construction industry by 2025, including 57,800 openings due to retirement and 15,200 openings due to industry expansion.
• The Construction Foundation of BC’s inaugural campaign, Project Shop Class, was developed to aid B.C. schools in the revitalization of their shop classes with new tools and equipment. 
• To date, Project Shop Class has raised and distributed over $3 million throughout the province. 

Learn More:

Construction Foundation of BC: http://constructionfoundationbc.ca/

Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program: www.workbc.ca/sectorlabourmarketpartnerships

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Statistics/Labour-Market.aspx