Volume 3 | Issue 2
Summer 2016
Trades
Talk.
M iniste r ' s messa g e
Summer is here in BC and our journeypersons are working hard during this prime time for construction.
We currently have more than $7.5 billion worth of capital projects providing over 38,000 direct and
indirect jobs in BC. There will be more to come as BC is forecasted to lead Canada in economic growth
over the next two years.
Construction projects are great opportunities for apprentices to learn from their experienced
coworkers. Last year, we implemented the Apprentices on Public Projects Policy to leverage our major
investments to train BC apprentices. In April, we signed two mentorship projects under the Sector
Labour Market Partnerships Program to better support women in trades and apprentices in construction:
a unique women-in-trades mentorship program with SkillPlan, the Canadian Building Trades Union,
Building Together – Women in the Building Trades, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, as well as a project with the Electrical Joint Training Committee.
Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism
and Skills Training and Minister Responsible
for Labour
We will also continue to work with other provinces to improve apprentice mobility, so that British
Columbians can continue to build their certifiable trades experience regardless of where they work.
It will also help us attract other apprentices to come and work in BC.
Construction activities are fundamental to our economy and skills training. Thank you to all of our
apprentices and journeypersons for your contribution. I wish everyone a safe and rewarding summer.
CEO MESSAGE
BC under construction
The construction industry is one of the driving forces of BC’s
economy. In line with recommendations made in B.C.'s Skills for
Jobs Blueprint and with the federal government’s increased focus
on infrastructure, ITA is consistently exploring innovative ways
to create exciting opportunities within this sector.
IN THIS ISSUE
Employer Profile
B.C.'s Skills for
Jobs Blueprint
Spotlight
Sector Spotlight
In the News
Early this year, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) launched the
second Youth Trades Guide, a resource filled with information on
the opportunities in the trades for youth. At ITA, it is our goal to fill
the skills gap in our province and guide youth into trades that are
in demand. That’s why ITA introduced four Managers of Industry
Relations, each one responsible for working with industry to ensure
their respective needs are met. And of course, there will always
be a need for employers, like Adasak Mechanical in Kamloops,
who sponsor apprentices to fuel the growth and construction
of our province.
BC is our home, and our skilled workforce helps keep it up
and running. Our investment and commitment to growing this
workforce will serve the construction industry, which is the key
force driving our province ahead.
Gary Herman, Chief Executive Officer,
Industry Training Authority (ITA)
Youth Initiatives
Aboriginal Initiatives
WITT Initiatives
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ITABC.CA
ITA TRADES TALK SUMMER 2016
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E mp l oye r P r o f i l e
Hiring apprentices is a ‘no brainer’ for Kamloops employer
When you find an apprentice that has already committed their
time and energy into entering the trades, the employer is already
half way there—and that’s the hard part. The rest is just about
making sure they are the right fit for your company.
“A lot of the time the apprentice brings you back to the time
that you were an apprentice,” explains Clayton Dupont,
Journeyman Plumber, Adasak Mechanical. “Sometimes you’ve
been in a trade for so long that you tend to overthink things.
An apprentice brings you back to basics, and most of the time,
that’s where the solution lies.”
From left to right: Trevor Caswell, Apprentice, Adasak Mechanical; Clayton Dupont, Journeyman
Plumber, Adasak Mechanical; Darren Arndt, Owner, Adasak Mechanical.
Kamloops is teeming with job opportunities in the construction sector,
and it is reputable companies like Adasak Mechanical that are coming
out on top by affording apprentices the chance to reap the benefits,
while contributing to the success of their employer, and the province
as a whole.
Like a construction project, it is important that as a province,
we build from the ground up while taking the big picture into
account. Adasak Mechanical, a family-run plumbing company,
understands the importance of this metaphor as they take on
young apprentices and mould them into skilled workers they
can trust and count on.
Find out what it means and what it takes to become an
employer sponsor.
Video: Kamloops trades profile
Watch this video to find out more about how the
journey people and apprentices working at Adasak
Mechanical got their start, the barriers and successes
they have encountered along the way, and their overall
experience working in the skilled trades.
“Hiring apprentices is a no brainer. They are an investment,
and in the long-term, that investment pays off,” explains Darren
Arndt, Owner, Adasak Mechanical. “At the end of the day, you
have a high-quality employee that has been shaped to benefit
your business.”
B.C.'s S k i l l s f o r J obs B l u ep r int
Learn about the construction sector at WorkBC.ca
a wealth of information about construction careers, including
employment statistics, training resources, career paths, earnings
data and insights from industry. Wage information for these
construction careers was most recently updated on April 29, 2016.
You can learn more about working in construction by watching
Career Trek videos, such as the Carpenter Foreman episode
above. If you’ve found a job in construction and need training,
visit WorkBC.ca/trades to read about training resources
and apprenticeships.
The construction industry has built British Columbia from the
ground up. The industry has undergone unprecedented expansion
in the last 10 years, making a significant contribution to strong
provincial economic growth. Read about the construction industry
on WorkBC.ca.
There are many careers in construction. You can learn more
about them on WorkBC.ca, with career profiles for Construction
Millwrights, Carpenters, Glaziers, and more. Each profile has
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ITABC.CA
If you’re ready to work in construction, register as a job seeker or
apprentice on WorkBC.ca. It’s easy and free – specify that you’re
looking for jobs in the construction industry and get connected
with employers.
Did you know that WorkBC regularly posts construction jobs online?
Be sure to tune into these construction job reports by following
@WorkBC on Twitter.
ITA TRADES TALK SUMMER 2016
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S pot l i g h t
ACE IT superstar achieves
Red Seal status in no time
"It's hard to find someone who has both the exceptional hand skills
and academic smarts it takes to be a top tradesperson, and in the
electrical trade in particular," explains Don Zaklan, Instructor, BCIT.
“Put those two requirements together and you have a superstar.”
With technical training and academic smarts on his side, the ACE IT
program helped give Kris a leg up towards achieving his career goals.
“Even if you are not certain of the path you want to take, the
ACE IT program has a huge impact on giving you a head start
on your career,” says Kris. “By the time I graduated, I already had
my first year of technical electrical training completed, along with
lots of hands-on experience in the field and work-based hours that
counted towards my apprenticeship.”
In partnership with the Ministry of Education and secondary schools,
ITA delivers the Accelerated Credit Enrollment in Industry Training
(ACE IT) program, which provides students with the opportunity to
achieve their first level of technical training towards an apprenticeship
while still in secondary school.
In January 2016, 21-year-old ACE IT graduate Kris Culshaw
achieved his Red Seal status as a Construction Electrician, one
of the top, in-demand construction trades in British Columbia—
an incredible accomplishment.
Kris also achieved first place in the Game Changer competition
for electrical wiring at the third annual LNG Skills Canada
competition in October 2015. In an effort to promote the skilled
trades, he decided to donate the prize money to Princess Margaret
Secondary School in Surrey, where he took the ACE IT electrical
program.
The ACE IT program continues to attract the highest quality
students and has substantially raised the profile of the skilled
trades as a viable career option amongst secondary school
students. Kris Culshaw is living proof as someone who has,
quite literally, aced it.
Learn more about ITA youth programs, and how to get your start
in the skilled trades.
S ecto r S pot l i g h t
Meet Cory Williams, Manager
of Industry Relations
for the construction sector
In response to B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, ITA has introduced
four Managers of Industry Relations to oversee broader industry
engagement, which is key to ensuring a responsive and relevant
skills training system in BC. Cory Williams, the Manager of Industry
Relations responsible for overseeing the construction sector, tells us
what she’s learned on the job so far.
ITA Trades Talk: What is your role as Manager, Industry Relations
at ITA as it relates to the construction sector?
Cory: In my role, I am responsible for working with the
construction sector to enhance access to the trades, and to ensure
that the trades programs we deliver meet the needs of industry.
ITA Trades Talk: How did you first become involved with the
skilled trades?
Cory: Having always been mechanically-inclined, I worked as
a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician for over 20 years. During this
time, I was also able to take additional training, and sit on several
trades advisory committees and the provincial apprenticeship
board. That’s the beauty of getting your ticket—it’s really the
‘ticket to anywhere’.
ITA Trades Talk: What opportunities currently exist in the
construction sector for apprentices and tradespeople?
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ITABC.CA
Cory: I have heard time and time again that there is a huge demand
for skilled workers. With all the people who are retiring, we are
not seeing an influx of workers who are interested in coming into
the trades. More specifically, this province needs people working
in construction, such as Welders, Carpenters, Crane Operators,
and Electricians.
ITA Trades Talk: What can employers do to support apprentices
in the construction industry?
Cory: Hire them, and spend the time to build their own
skilled workforce.
Learn more about what ITA is doing to remain connected to
industry and to provide BC with the right skilled workers where
they are needed.
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I n t h e N ews
Congratulations to the Skills BC
Canada Competition winners!
The 22nd Annual Skills Canada BC Competition took place in April
at the Abbotsford Tradex Centre. It was an eventful day of fierce
competitions and impressive results. This is an annual event in
which students from across BC come together to compete and
showcase their skills in trades or technology. This year, over 500
secondary and post-secondary students competed for gold and
an opportunity to compete nationally in June as part of Team BC.
Over two-hundred students received provincial level medals
and of those, 110 gold medalists will carry on to New Brunswick
for the Canadian Skills Competitions for a chance to move on
to World Skills.
Find out what it takes and check out the full list of winners.
Key learnings from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s (CAF) national
apprenticeship conference was held in Vancouver from June 5 to 7,
2016, with the theme of Apprenticeship: Hands on the Future. Over
500 delegates and 60 speakers travelled from across the country
to get inspired and share success stories of the apprenticeship
system in their provinces and industry.
ITA held roundtable discussions about its youth programs
and initiatives for engaging the under-represented population
in trades careers. Gary Herman, CEO, ITA, also moderated
a panel discussion where panelists shared their innovative
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ITABC.CA
practices in training and resource delivery, community
engagement, and effective partnerships.
Throughout the panel discussion, it became clear that more
and more employers and organizations are looking at the
apprenticeship journey through an innovative lens, which is
necessary to attract more people into trades careers and further
grow the trades community.
Find out more about the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF).
ITA TRADES TALK SUMMER 2016
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I n t h e N ews
Motorcycle Mechanic
apprentice tells us about his
‘light bulb’ moment
"The Tool Box" encourages
youth to start thinking about
the trades
Tylor Mayzes registered as a Motorcycle Mechanic apprentice
in 2015 with Trev Deeley Motorcycles in Vancouver. After hearing
about Tylor from his instructor at BCIT, ITA was excited to learn
a bit more about his journey as an apprentice.
The Career Technical Center of School District 68 in Nanaimo
offers the Elementary Skills Exploration program, which is
designed to encourage elementary school students to start
thinking about skilled trades careers. This innovative program
is delivered through a mobile training unit called “The Tool Box”
that is equipped with materials and tools for various projects
that engage students in planning, collaborating, and making.
This program also provides elementary school students with
mentorship opportunities with Vancouver Island University’s
Intro to Trades program students and with tradespeople from
the community. What a great way to get young students thinking
about working towards a career in trades!
Tylor started exploring trades career options during his high
school years where he enrolled in as many shop classes as he
could. “I’ve always been working with my hands trying to build
or fix things,” said Tylor. The classes gave him an opportunity
to try out different trades, such as Automotive Service
Technician, Electrician, and even Arborist.
As a hobby, Tylor and his friend started to build a Harley
and that was when he fell in love with motorcycle mechanics.
One day someone asked him why he wasn’t pursuing a career
as a Motorcycle Mechanic, and a light bulb went off in his head.
He immediately looked into careers and programs for Motorcycle
Mechanics, and the rest is history.
Tylor puts his heart and soul into his projects and hopes
to achieve the level of Harley Master Technician in the future.
Find your passion in a trade. Explore the different skilled
trades careers.
Y o u t h I nitiati v es
Youth Trades Guide: Building
a future for youth in trades
Today's youth have an array of career options to choose from,
but they also face the perception that the skilled trades are not
the most desirable career choice. In order to keep our construction
and other skilled labour sectors robust and growing, we must
be proactive in presenting the trades as a desirable career option
for our youth.
To that end, earlier this year, ITA published its second Youth
Trades Guide, which serves as an important recruiting tool for
students, with the goal to put the skilled trades on equal footing
with other post-secondary career options. Available in secondary
schools through career counsellors or online, it provides a unique
overview of skilled trades across the province, as well as accessible
information about how to get started.
The Guide has been an important investment into the future of
skilled trades. Now, when BC secondary school students and their
parents sit down to look into career options, trades careers are
presented equally, side by side with university and college options.
Find out more about what ITA is doing to move the dial and recruit
our youth into skilled trades careers.
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ITABC.CA
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W I T T I nitiati v es
Meet BC’s Champions of
Apprenticeship
The Champions of Apprenticeship web area has been
launched! This site recognizes outstanding employer
sponsors and apprentices all around BC. It features
interviews, stories and videos exploring the ins and outs
of what it takes to be a successful sponsor or apprentice.
Do you know an outstanding employer sponsor
or apprentice? Nominate a Champion today!
Build up your network as a
woman in the trades
Thinking about getting your start in the
trades? Already have a successful skilled
trades career? Looking to network and
connect with tradeswomen like you?
Look no further than the Women in
Trades Training (WITT) Facebook page.
This platform serves women at all levels of their journey in the
skilled trades. Read about successful tradeswomen, learn about
the skilled trades, catch up on industry news that is relevant
to you, connect with other tradeswomen, and much, much more.
Visit the Women in Trades Training (WITT) Facebook page today.
A bo r i g ina l I nitiati v es
New training facility at KVI
On April 5, 2016, the Kitimat Valley Institute (KVI) and members
of Haisla Nation cut the ribbon for the newly updated KVI Trades
Centre. This marked a momentous day for everyone involved,
as the Government of Canada announced their investment
of $385,000 to support KVI’s delivery of skilled trades programs,
benefiting the students and local community.
ITA’s Kitimat Apprenticeship Advisor Crystal Bouchard attended
the grand opening and met with students from the Intro to Trades
class who will be the first to use the Trades Centre. “It’s sweet to see
a dream become reality!” said Bouchard, who has been involved
in the development of KVI’s Trades Centre from the beginning.
Upgrades to the Trades Centre include new welding and carpentry
stations, tools and equipment, and a covered outdoor structure
that will enable Construction Craft Worker students to gain handson experience.
From left to right: Carol Leclerc, Mayor of Terrace; Duson Jankovics, KVI Comptroller;
Crystal Bouchard, ITA Apprenticeship Advisor; Ellis Ross, Chief Haisla Nation; Sherrie Little,
KVI Interim President; Phil Germuth, Mayor of Kitimat; Jason Majore, Haisla Director of
Economic Development.
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We would also appreciate your
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suggestions you have.
Email your comments to
tradestalk@itabc.ca.
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“We need to prepare our students for all opportunities,”
said Sherrie Little, KVI Interim President and CEO. “By offering
this Trades Centre in Kitimat, we move towards providing
local trades training which will support our local projects and
community needs.”
June 21st was National
Aboriginal Day
There are some incredible Aboriginal apprentices
across the province—check out their success stories
on ITA’s Facebook and Instagram.
Looking to get your start in the trades? Find out what
AITT programs are available to you.
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