The Northern Regional Construction Association is launching a new program to provide hands-on experience to youth in the construction industry.
The Building Up Inclusive Leaders in Trades or BUILT program will span two weeks starting on August 14th, introducing young individuals to the multifaceted world of construction while emphasizing the diverse opportunities available in the industry.
“It’s geared towards equity seeking groups, women in trades, Indigenous in trades, just under-represented communities who aren’t typical in choosing a career in trades,” said Northern Regional Construction Association CEO Nicole Bryant.
The program will welcome 12 students in grades 9 and 10.
“Over a two-week period they will build a shed under the guidance of an instructor, and we’ll have industry professionals come in and talk about the different aspects of the trades,” Bryant explained.
Bryant added following the completion of the program, the shed will be auctioned off in September with proceeds going towards putting on the program next year.
Aside from building the shed, students will learn about safety procedures and PPE, proper use of tools, project planning, how plans are drawn, as well as how materials are procured.
“We’re really looking at all aspects of construction, not just hands on trades,” Bryant said.
She said the program is currently unique in Prince George.
“There used to be a program through the Regional Construction Association called ‘Heavy Metal Rocks’, it was a program for students in grade 9 and 10 to experience different aspects of the trades using heavy machinery,” Bryant explained.
“A couple years ago, just before covid, they ended up wrapping that program, and we’ve been looking for something to replace it.”
While the program is limited to 12 students, they’re hoping to be able to expand the program in the future.
“We’re running this year as sort of a pilot project, and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to take some of the participants from this program and feed them into an internship program next summer,” Bryant said.
“We’re hoping to eventually take this into our region, we have a very large region in Northern BC, and we would love to be able to take this program into other areas.”
Applications for the program are open and can be found here.
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