VANCOUVER — In recognition of Construction Month, which celebrates B.C.’s 225,000 skilled tradespeople, Turner Construction Company recently hosted a contractors’ breakfast with support from the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA).
“We started these trade networking breakfasts last year as a way to introduce ourselves to the Vancouver market and get to know contractors on a more personal level,” said Amit Patel, vice-president and general manager of the Vancouver business unit for Turner, in a statement.
“As we continue to be awarded more and more large-scale projects, we have our tradespeople to thank for all the work they do alongside us.”
According to a release, there are more than 23,500 construction companies in B.C. contributing 8.6 per cent of provincial GDP. The skilled workforce plays a crucial role in the local economies.
“Construction Month is a chance to raise awareness of the important work done by our skilled workforce,” added BCCA president Chris Atchison. “Our industry provides rewarding, challenging careers and it takes a great deal of commitment, skill and experience to succeed. As the construction season kicks into high gear, it feels right to celebrate the people who build our province.”
While construction is taking off in B.C., the release notes there could be a shortage of more than 14,000 skilled tradespeople over the next eight years as only one in 70 B.C. high school graduates enter
construction trades programs within one year of graduation.
In order to fill the gap that will be created by the 57,000 people retiring over the next decade, B.C. needs that ratio to be one in every 10 graduates.
“I hope everyone will take a chance to show appreciation for someone they know who works in construction, and to consider the hard work and dedication that it takes to build the structures on which we all depend on every day, for everything we do and everywhere we go,” Patel stated.
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