Builders Code award nominations now open

VANCOUVER — Nominations are now open for the second annual Builders Code Champion Awards which highlight B.C. companies that are proactively addressing issues of equity, discrimination and harassment in the construction sector.

The BC Construction Association (BCCA) is organizing the awards with the support of Minerva BC, a registered charity that provides leadership development programs for women and girls, and partners with organizations to advance gender parity. 

BCCA noted the COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased fear and anxiety and economic implications and this has led to increased discrimination and bias towards visible minority communities and other underrepresented groups.

The BCCA explained the awards recognize companies that are being proactive to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplaces, while also working to eliminate discrimination, hazing, bullying and harassment. Organizations and people who are nominated must also demonstrate their commitment, leadership and action towards advancing and retaining female employees as part of the provincial goal of achieving 10 per cent tradeswomen by 2028.

“We want to recognize the efforts of industry innovators that are creating safe and healthy environments for all onsite, regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity,” said Chris Atchison, BCCA president, in a press release. “They serve as great examples to companies of all sizes that there are easily implemented and effective measures they can take to increase worker retention.”

Nominations are open until Oct. 28. via the association’s new streamlined online application process here.

“Winning a 2019 Champion Award really motivated Chinook Scaffold to find additional ways to promote the inclusion of women in the workplace,” said Wendy Gaskill, part of the corporate safety management Team for Chinook Scaffold, in a press release. “It has opened doors for us to partner with training institutions and provided collaboration opportunities with other forward-thinking companies. We commend the BCCA and the Builders Code for recognizing and addressing the under-representation of tradeswomen in B.C.”

The Builders Code Champion Award categories include:

• Recruiting and Hiring Champion: Recognizes companies that hire the best talent based on skills, experience and attitude; work to attract diverse candidates; look for ways to remove barriers that hold them back; and compensate all employees at fair market value regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity.
• Workplace Culture Champion: Recognizes a commitment to a respectful, safe and inclusive workplace culture; encourage employees to recognize their role in that culture; and holds employees and subcontractors accountable, ensuring a work environment free from harassment, hazing and bullying.
• Community Champion: Recognizes companies that promote career opportunities for women in the skilled trades; support their tradespeople to mentor others; and promote education, awareness and training that positively impacts their community, company and employees.
• Initiate of the Year: Recognizes companies that introduced diversity policies this year; are committed to building an Acceptable Worksite; and are working to create a construction sector that works for everyone.
• Contractor of the Year: Recognizes companies that are fully committed to achieving an Acceptable Worksite and building a diverse workforce where all employees are able to perform at their best and reach their full potential.

“Since the 2019 awards, the Builders Code has extended more training for our foremen and supervisors, which has continually opened up the conversation of ensuring all worksites are acceptable,” said Taylor Manhas, Westcana Electric’s safety co-ordinator. “We would like to thank the Builders Code for recognizing the gap, providing measures to ensure acceptable worksites and promoting women in trades throughout our construction industry.”

Winners will be chosen by a panel that includes Minerva BC, the BCCA and the Builders Code Governance Committee. An event to celebrate the winners is tentatively scheduled for December 2020, depending on provincial health officer orders on mass gatherings.