Industry News – Page 9 – Construction Industry Training Network

Recognizing the National Day of Mourning

April 26, 2016 By Kerry Vital

DayOfMourning

On April 28, Canada will recognize the National Day of Mourning, which honours the memory of workers who have been killed, injured or become ill as a result of work-related accidents. Established in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress and officially named as a national day in 1991, the day is marked by ceremonies across B.C., flags flown at half mast, and the observation of moments of silence throughout the day.

Last year in B.C., 122 people were killed on the job, and workplace injury or illness resulted in almost 2.6 million lost days of work. This year, speakers at the various events will include family members of those who have passed away, and workers injured on the job. For more information about the Day of Mourning and a list of ceremonies, visit www.dayofmourning.bc.ca.

How can we change the conversation about careers in construction?

April 12, 2016 By Kerry Vital

Careers in the trades are a dead end. The trades are dirty and unsafe. People go into the trades when they aren’t smart enough to get a “real job.”

All of these are things we’ve heard when we ask why people don’t consider a career in trades. That conversation needs to change. Over the next decade, about 40 percent of the construction workforce is expected to retire, and it’s important that new entrants to the field are able to replace them. But there are so many misconceptions out there, and it’s time that we debunked them.

Much has been made recently in the news about how workers in other provinces aren’t able to find jobs. That’s not true in B.C., where our economy is booming due to major projects being built. We will continue to see job growth in the construction sector, and young people going into the trades can be comfortable in the knowledge that they are on the path to a life-long career if they so choose.
[Read more…]

The Apprentice: Not just for Donald Trump

April 8, 2016 By Kerry Vital

Perhaps the word “Apprentice” brings up memories of a reality show starring a certain U.S. presidential candidate, but it shouldn’t. Apprentices are at the core of the trades in British Columbia, and indeed throughout Canada. Current apprentices will be tomorrow’s highly skilled tradespeople, responsible for building the roads we drive on, constructing the buildings we live and work in, and repairing the services we can’t live without.

About 90 percent of apprenticeship training happens on the job site, allowing apprentices to earn money while they learn their trade. According to a recent story from Media Planet’s Industry and Business, “Apprenticeships and other hands-on post-secondary programs serve the construction industry by providing an optimum balance between theory and hands-on experience.” Not only do apprentices learn the actual skills they will need throughout their career, they also learn teamwork and communication skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

[Read more…]

Getting a female perspective

March 31, 2016 By Kerry Vital

Women make up roughly 50 percent of the world’s population, and yet only approximately 10 percent of apprentices in the trades are women. That needs to change.

We were able to attend a recent presentation by the Industry Training Authority called “Women On The Tools: Hiring and training women in the trade industry.” The event brought together a panel of industry professionals to discuss how the industry can benefit from women in the trades, and tips for employers looking to hire women on their job sites.

Some of those tips included connecting women with others in the industry. One of the issues that many women face in the trades is being the only female on the job, and that can be nerve-wracking. Women who are already established in their career in the trades can act as mentors for both men and women who are starting out, offering assistance and different perspectives. women in construction

One panelist recounted the story of being the first woman in the company, and how the male employees were told to clean up their work space and remove any photos or items that could be deemed demeaning or sexist. While the boss’ heart was in the right place, the panelists agreed that it was the worst thing he could have done, as the woman was blamed for making everyone else change their behaviour despite the request not coming from her.
[Read more…]

Building a future for youth in trades

March 23, 2016 By Kerry Vital

As B.C.’s population ages, employers in the trades are considering who will succeed them when they retire. Right now, there are fewer young people entering the workforce than older people leaving, and that’s a concern. Attracting young people to the trades can be an uphill battle; many think careers in the trades are dangerous, dirty, low-paying, or a dead end.

That’s not true, and we’re trying to change that perception. Do you have a story about how you’ve moved along your career path that you think people should hear to counter those misconceptions? Contact us and tell us your story!

According to a recent story in the Journal of Commerce written by Erin Johnston of the Industry Training Authority, today’s youth have many career options available to them, and many of them are in the trades. The ITA’s goal is to “showcase the opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and to engage and encourage youth and their parents to consider these prospective careers.”

Read the entire piece here.

Recognizing the National Day of Mourning

How can we change the conversation about careers in construction?

The Apprentice: Not just for Donald Trump

Getting a female perspective

Building a future for youth in trades

ASSOCIATION PARTNERS

Upcoming Courses

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Training Partners

Blog

Sign up for our newsletter!