Members of the Construction Industry in British Columbia and across Canada are committed to giving back to the communities in which they live and work. From corporate sponsored community gardens to unique back to work programs, construction industry members are giving back on big levels. As British Columbia’s Construction Charity, we want to recognize industry members who are HERE FOR GOOD.
It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to AFC Construction. AFC Construction is locally owned and operated on Vancouver Island and manages a broad scope of work in the commercial and residential sectors. Owners, Alan Fletcher and Guthrie LeFevre are committed to providing service excellence, not only to their clients, but to their employees and greater community.
The Foundation spent a day with a few members of the AFC team on site and in the office. During our time with them, we discovered that it is not only the great work they do, but the people that make AFC Construction Here for Good!
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
With a combined total of 55 years in industry, Alan Fletcher and Guthrie LeFevre have deep roots in the construction industry. Both men are committed to giving back to the community and industry that has contributed to their success.
Alan Fletcher, is a strong advocate of getting involved to better the industry and community. His time spent volunteering on various industry related boards has allowed him to help shape the industry he loves and is taking that drive and experience across the country, as he steps into a new volunteer position with the Canadian Construction Association.
In addition to commitment to industry, several members of the team discussed their commitment to volunteering and providing support to youth related initiatives, whether it is through mentoring in area high schools or through sport, this company is working hard to ensure that the communities in which they live and work are being supported for years to come.
CO-OPETITION
The term, co-opetition, has been around since the early 1900’s and is used to describe cooperative competition. In an industry where best price usually decides the winner, it is unusual to share knowledge with would be competitors, but this is not the case when it comes to AFC. AFC believes in sharing knowledge and best practices with those around them to help build up the industry.
A unique project took the AFC team to Port Hardy, where they developed a special partnership with the Port Hardy First Nation. During our conversation with Cheryl Wilson, project manager for AFC, she shared that what had initially started as general work on a Quantity Survey evolved into so much more. As the partnership developed, the project scope grew to include the design and development of a Project Management manual that the First Nation could then utilize to provide support and guidance to other community members with their project management and future projects.
PEOPLE FIRST
In an industry that is no stranger to labour shortages, AFC Construction is focused on the many ways it can help to build the next generation of industry leaders. Alan Fletcher shared AFC’s philosophy around guiding and helping shape the next generation of skilled professionals – and drove home the fact that there are more opportunities in the industry than just entering into carpentry. The opportunities in industry are vast and lucrative.
Every member of the team is invested in helping bring up the next generation of construction industry professionals and had the following advice for young people looking to enter the industry.
There is a kindness inherent in AFC’s corporate culture. They are a team that is committed to doing right by the industry, whether it is through commitment to supporting youth as they work toward apprenticeship, knowledge sharing with other communities and supporting local initiatives, there are many ways that AFC Construction is Here for Good. Thank you for allowing us to spend some time with you and for sharing the ways you are committed to the industry.
As Guthrie shared, the fact that AFC is known as an organization that cares about their clients and people is important to him. From all levels of the organization – their clients and partners know that everyone cares about the job and relationship and it shows.
To connect with AFC Construction, visit www.afcconstruction.com
If you would like to nominate an individual or company that is “Here for Good”, please contact us at pr@constructionfoundation.ca
