Industry News – Page 10 – Construction Industry Training Network

We want to hear your story

March 21, 2016 By Kerry Vital

There are a lot of misconceptions about a career in the trades, including that it’s a dead end job, it’s dangerous, or it’s dirty. We want to correct those misconceptions, and you can help us. We want to hear about how you became a tradesperson, whether you’re a plumber, a welder, a carpenter, or any other profession. Was your mother or father in a trade? Did you fall in love with woodworking in high school and then researched what you could do with those skills? Or did you come to it by accident?

We want to hear about it. When did you know you were going to be in the trades, and how did you decide on which trade? What did your career path look like?

Email us at info@trainingnetwork.ca and tell us your story!

Buddy system provides unexpected benefits, says WorkSafe BC

March 17, 2016 By Kerry Vital

Young workers, especially those new on the job, are statistically more likely to get hurt. WorkSafe BC recently published a piece in their WorkSafe magazine noting that when a company adds a mentoring program for young workers, accidents and injuries drop. The piece cited Ledcor Group’s successful mentorship program.

Here’s a snippet: The program pairs novice young workers with experienced hands on the jobsite. Both workers stay together at all times. “This person is their buddy. If they are embarrassed to ask a supervisor a question, they’re more comfortable asking their buddy,” Brissette says. “When you’re new on the job, no one wants to look stupid. But this is someone who will guide you, someone who really knows the job well.”

Read the entire article here.

Apprenticeships are on the rise in British Columbia

February 6, 2016 By Kerry Vital

Last year, almost 10,000 employers sponsored apprentices. This is up from about 9,500 in 2014. However, there are many misconceptions about hiring an apprentice; among them is that training someone will slow you down or cost you too much time and money. This can cause problems down the road as people retire. “Skilled tradespeople only come from three sources: you either grown your own through apprentices, or you poach them from others, or you import them,” says Industry Training Authority CEO Gary Herman.

According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, for every dollar invested in an apprentice employers get a return of $1.47, which doesn’t count annual tax credits or grants for the employer and apprentice.

What does the construction industry need to do better in 2016?

December 31, 2015 By Kerry Vital

The Journal of Commerce asked members of its Editorial Advisory Board how they thought the industry could improve in 2016. Jack Davidson, president of the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and one of our founding members, had this to say:

“The construction industry needs to do a better job of finding, recruiting and training our next generation of skilled workers. The industry needs to: promote careers not just jobs; ensure training standards meet industry needs; help workers and employers make connections; help find the appropriate training that a worker requires to advance, track and update their credentials; and do a better job of advising government and other stakeholders on key workforce and labour issues.”

The CITN does all of these things, and we appreciate the support that Jack and our association partners have given us.

Read the entire story here.

Mentorship matters in apprenticeships

December 3, 2015 By Kerry Vital

With 80 percent of skilled trades learned on the job, having a mentor through the course of an apprenticeship is extremely important. In fact, it’s the key factor to a successful apprenticeship, and can make the difference between a completed apprenticeship and dropping out. Among the benefits is enhanced skill development and knowledge, and valuable career advice.

The Industry Training Authority held its Ultimate Trades Mentor Contest this year, and dozens of people responded. Read the full story from ITA CEO Gary Herman here on the Journal of Commerce website.

We want to hear your story

Buddy system provides unexpected benefits, says WorkSafe BC

Apprenticeships are on the rise in British Columbia

What does the construction industry need to do better in 2016?

Mentorship matters in apprenticeships

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