Like many organizations, the Construction Foundation of BC team overcame unique barriers this past year as everyone adapted to a new way of socially distanced operations. The CFBC team continued to perform virtual workshops, produce content and collaborate with several organizations to continue educational opportunities. It’s a testament to our stakeholders and partners that there are so many great moments to share from 2020!
We’ve compiled just a few of our highlights from the past calendar year—there were too many to choose from! Check them out below!
Indigenous Skills Showcase 2020
The Construction Foundation of BC was excited to produce the inaugural Indigenous Skills Showcase through a series of interviews promoted through the Skills/Competences Canada’s #CelebrateSkills digital experience!
The Construction Foundation partnered with Skills/Compétences Canada and their provincial organizations as well as with a number of partners from across the country to produce an Indigenous Skills Showcase, with the aim to increase awareness and participation of Indigenous youth at National and Provincial Competitions.
The Showcase, curated and developed by Kaska-Tlingit artist Dean Heron, was to focus on the transfer of traditional skills and knowledge from Elders and experts to Indigenous youth. Infused in the process was the cross over relevance to potential careers in the skilled trades.
Check out our virtual Indigenous Skills Showcase on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlOHqHL9AzSsEXuxBiPmjfP2pRN_x3hoT
Here For Good: Don Roberts
At nearly 98 years old, machinist Don Roberts made a significant contribution to aspiring artists through the Construction Foundation, donating hundreds of carving blades he had created and accumulated over his life and career to schools and First Nations students throughout the province.
Read about Don’s amazing donation: https://www.constructionfoundation.ca/here-for-good-don-roberts-makes-significant-donation-to-aspiring-artists-in-british-columbia/
You can read more ‘Here For Good’ features through our ‘What’s New’ blog by clicking HERE.
WATT visit from Mitzi Dean
Last summer, the Work Alternative Trades Training (WATT) Program received a special visit from the Honourable Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity and MLA Esquimalt-Metchosin. At the training centre, Dean had a chance to talk to five participants of an all-female cohort training on an alternative pathway to electrical apprenticeship in IBEW local 230.
“WATT continues to work towards increasing diversity in the trades,” said Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the IBEW Local 230, Phil Venoit. “This includes sustaining a 20 percent female participation rate in training, including the first all-women cohort in the summer of 2020. The IBEW is committed to finding meaningful ways to increase the retention of underrepresented groups in the Industry and WATT is one way we are acting on this priority.”
Read the full article in the latest issue of TRADE TALK: https://bcbuildingtrades.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BC-Building-Trades-Tradetalk-Fall_2020_WEBnew.pdf
Welcome Exchange: Virtual Beading Workshop
This Fall, the Construction Foundation of BC’s Welcome Exchange initiative kicked off with a virtual beading workshop that saw participants creating their own traditional bead medallion. Supported by partner Here in Canada, the workshop incorporated discussion surrounding the history of First Nations culture.
Led by local First Nations artist Sarah Underdown, participants were introduced to traditional beading techniques, stories and inspiration that Underwood inherited through her Great Grandmother.
Dave’s Workshop & Industry Interviews
Arguably the biggest surprise of 2020 was that of the emergence of a new YouTube star in the form of Skills Ready Career Catalyst Dave Lovisa. An accomplished trades worker based in Kelowna, Dave’s knowledge of all things construction has transcended from the trades industry to the small screen, where he became a catalyst for the Foundation’s ‘Dave’s Workshop’ and the spin-off series ‘Industry Interviews’.
Skills Ready Workshop with Ironworkers
This summer, Ironworkers Local 97, Milieu Children & Family Services and the Construction Foundation’s Skills Ready initiative worked together to put on a Trades Exploration Camp with youth in the Vancouver area. The hands-on camp featured welding, assembling and bolting together of steel structures, ‘toolbox talk’, measurement and drilling exercises, woodworking and painting, along with discussions on workplace safety and a career Q & A session.
Dream Machine Interviews
This year, the Construction Foundation of BC team’s Dean Heron interviewed a number of influential First Nations artists, chefs and authors as part of the DREAM Machine interview series, including author Rudy Kelly, who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Dean sat down (virtually) with Kelly to discuss his career as an author and the inspiration behind his ‘All Native’ novel.
Read and watch Rudy’s DREAM Machine interview here: https://www.constructionfoundation.ca/dream-machine-interview-author-rudy-kelly/
Indigenous Skills Workshops
The Indigenous Skills workshops featuring CFBC’s Indigenous Catalyst Dean Heron and showcase the creation of traditional tools and jewelry from First Nations peoples. Among the virtual workshops are features on Paddle and Knife Making, as well as Feast Tray and Spoon carving.
The workshops are free to view and are available to watch on the Construction Foundation’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmurSzBqFpxRqRGgxPCLhHg
We look forward to seeing and working with everyone in 2021!
