A partnership between the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and the province of BC has seen a investment to help build a stronger economy by creating jobs and inspiring youth.
The announcement was presented at Cedar Secondary School, where Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson gathered with students and staff to announce a $3.9 million investment to help address the shortage of skilled workers for trained highway maintenance positions.
Malcolmson says there are many factors as to why this sector has fallen short of workers, including language barriers and poverty, but the new investment is designed to cut through the barriers and create opportunities.
“In this case, we just want to get students inspired early about employment in our community, that is such a win-win,” she says. “Employers are looking for good workers, especially where we are worried about what might come from Trump’s tariffs and the economic impact.”
According to the government’s website, the unemployment rate across BC rose by 0.3 per cent for a total of six per cent. But despite the rising number and the threat of tariffs, Malcolmson says jobs that help build infrastructure will always be needed, and this is an investment in the future.
“This kind of work building infrastructure and roads in our community is something we know, as a province, we’re going to be doing no matter what happens,” she says. “For local, employment impacts, it’s fantastic when we can connect students early on in their careers.”
Ashton Wolfe is a Grade 12 student, and currently working at LaFarge. He says the investment in this program has given him hope for the future and has set him up for success in a trade he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to do.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I was in Grade 11, but the program came to VIU and working with the machines helped me decide what I wanted to do,” he says.
Wolfe says getting into the program wasn’t challenging, and for someone who wants to pursue a career with heavy machines this is truly the way to go.
“All I had to was finish my Grade 12 English and all the academic courses required to graduate,” he says. “This gives you the experience to do all the trades you want and gives you credit for it.”
Nathan is just starting on his journey with the program, and so far, he says his experience has been enlightening and very informative.
“The [Roadbuilders Association] RoadShow came around, and when I was invited, I had a great time,” he says. “This just set it in stone for what I wanted to do.”
According to the province, the funding will be a joint venture between the provincial and federal governments and will help BC grow the infrastructure trade.
