Electrician Alexandra reflects on opportunities provided through WATT program

Workplace Alternative Trades Training (WATT) graduate Alexandra has found a home in the electrical field after completing the pre-apprentice program last February. The 25-year-old has been working steadily for the past eight months since completing the WATT program and entering the work force. “I worked in mill and finishing shops prior to electrical,” Alexandra explained.

Welcome Exchange initiative hosts Paddle Pendant making workshop for Newcomers

The Construction Foundation of BC’s ‘Welcome Exchange’ initiative kicked off another Paddle Pendant virtual workshop this past week, featuring First Nation artists Dean Heron and Latham Mack. The Welcome Exchange initiative is supported by HERE in Canada.  The night started off with an introduction from CFBC’s Allison Ainsley, followed by an introduction to Paddle Pendants

CONSTRUCTION FOUNDATION OF BC: HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2020

Like many organizations, the Construction Foundation of BC team overcame unique barriers this past year as everyone adapted to a new way of socially distanced operations. The CFBC team continued to perform virtual workshops, produce content and collaborate with several organizations to continue educational opportunities. It’s a testament to our stakeholders and partners that there

‘SOMETIMES YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU’RE WORKING’: ISAIAH SHARES THOUGHTS ON POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AS ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE

Second year electrical apprentice Isaiah has found his niche in the electrical field. Having the opportunity to take the 40-week BCIT electrical foundation program, while still in high school, he was granted his level one of his technical training. As a recent graduate he has been working in the field and gaining as many hours

‘WELCOME EXCHANGE’ INITIATIVE HOSTS VIRTUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EXCHANGE

The Construction Foundation of BC’s (CFBC) Welcome Exchange initiative and Here IN Canada co-hosted an online edition of the annual Employment Opportunity Exchange (EOE) this November. The EOE is an annual event that gathers employers, newcomers, and immigrants in one space to understand and discuss jobseeker needs and assets. The EOE provides participants with an

‘AS WOMEN IT’S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE THAT ENCOURAGEMENT. IT’S A LOT EASIER TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF’: SKILLS READY PARTICIPANTS TALK SHOP IN THE LATEST ‘INDUSTRY INTERVIEW’

This week’s ‘Industry Interview’ features tradeswomen Amanda Steiner and Rebekah Ray, who are carving out a name for themselves after getting into the trades while attending Salmon Secondary and participating in a Skills Ready’s Showcase Event in 2017. The pair entered the trades following high school and have big plans for their future. Amanda’s father

INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS: CHARLES LAY AND NICK KAST DISCUSS BENEFITS OF SKILLS READY SHOWCASE EVENTS

This week, Skills Ready Career Catalyst Dave Lovisa sits down with Summerland Secondary School educators Charles Lay and Nick Kast. All three were involved in Summerland’s recent hosting of a Skills Ready Showcase event, intended to connect students with potential employers from industry. The trio open the latest Industry Interview session with a discussion on

‘SKILLS READY’ AND ‘ALL ROADS’ INITIATIVES COME TOGETHER TO FACILITATE CEDAR PLANTER WORKSHOP

The Skills Ready and All Roads initiatives came together this Fall to facilitate a unique workshop in the Kamloops area, with youth aged 13-18 creating cedar planter boxes and copper bracelets.  The two-day workshop connected participants with the All Roads initiative and encouraged them to use their hands combining traditional materials with present-day tools and

CONSTRUCTION FOUNDATION’S ‘WELCOME EXCHANGE’ INITIATIVE KICKS OFF WITH VIRTUAL BEADING WORKSHOP

The Construction Foundation of BC’s Welcome Exchange initiative kicked off with a virtual beading workshop that saw participants creating their own traditional bead medallion. Supported by partner Here in Canada, the workshop incorporated discussion surrounding the history of First Nations culture. JOIN THE ‘WELCOME EXCHANGE’ FACEBOOK GROUP Led by local First Nations artist Sarah Underdown,
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DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: ARTIST PETER WAYNE GONG

(Originally posted December 2, 2019) Artist Peter Wayne Gong is using art as a means of connecting with West Coast youth by providing an example of what can be done through hard work and perseverance. An accomplished Coast Salish artist from Squamish Nation, Peter finds inspiration in his art by drawing upon his life experiences

DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: CHEF ANDREW GEORGE

As part of this year’s Skills Canada Indigenous Skills Showcase, artist and the Construction Foundation of BC’s Catalyst, Indigenous Communities, Dean Heron spoke with renowned chef Andrew George about his life and career in the culinary industry. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL George was born in Smithers, British Columbia, raised in Telkwa and attended Vancouver

DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: ARTIST DANIKA NACCARELLA

The Construction Foundation of BC’s (CFBC) Catalyst, Indigenous Communities, Dean Heron spoke with Northwest Coast artist Danika Naccarella earlier this year as part of the CFBC’s 2020 Indigenous Skills Showcase. Descending from Nuxalk & Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw ancestry, Danika, a young and emerging artist from Bella Coola, shared her education and experiences leading up to her current