MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM NORTHERN GATEWAY, HOULE ELECTRIC, MORE
VANCOUVER, BC – February 21, 2014 – The Construction Foundation of BC received more than $294,000 for its Project Shop Class fundraising campaign at a kick-off dinner in Vancouver last night. Attendees included owners of many BC construction firms, senior executives from the automotive, oil, and gas sectors, and the Boards of Directors for all five of BC’s Construction Associations. The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training, was also in attendance, along with a handful of local shop teachers who came out to hear if their school had been chosen as one of the finalists.
The Project Shop Class launch dinner was hosted by the BC Construction Association to provide a platform for introducing the campaign and announcing the 5-10 schools who would receive funding. Out of 89 wish lists representing 115 schools, the Foundation had planned to select up to 10 schools to support. However, BCCA President Manley McLachlan surprised the audience by revealing that the Foundation had decided not to turn any school away: Project Shop Class has accepted all 115 schools who provided their wish list of needs, and will work to find donors to help every school. In total schools are seeking close to $9 million in financial support.
“In looking through the applications it became clear that every school was committed, had a true need, and deserved to receive support,” said McLachlan. “And we certainly know the demand is there in the sector for more skilled tradespeople. The Project Shop Class website enables anyone in the province to support any school for any amount. Tonight, we’re thrilled to see industry step up in such a big way to get the campaign started.”
The most significant contribution of the evening came from Janet Holder on behalf of the Northern Gateway Project. Born and raised in Prince George, Holder believes in community. “Project Shop Class is a real-life way to make an immediate positive difference and to support the skilled workers that BC needs to meet its full economic potential,” said Holder.
“At Northern Gateway, we strongly believe training programs like this one help to give students the skills to last a lifetime. As a proud resident of Prince George, I am especially pleased that our contribution of $225,000 will go to support the schools in Northern BC. I’d like to invite others to offer their support for this great project as well.”
Donations were also received from Houle Electric, Mott Electrical, Concert Properties and the BC Construction Association.
To make your contribution, see the entire list of applicants, and watch videos from some of the participating schools, visit www.projectshopclass.com.