b'BCCA UPDATEChris Atchison, President, BCCAA MESSAGE FROM BCCAA RESURGENCE OF ENERGYCCA has been enjoying a resurgence of beforeBy focusing on the lifestyle messageget the skills you need B times energy, returning to the activities of in-personto live the life you dream ofBCCA was able to attract more meetings, events and celebrations. Its important tothan 5,000 British Columbians to apply for skilled trades jobs connect with the people and organizations who work withthat will lead to apprenticeship.us to keep our industry strong and productive, and its alsoI see our unexpected talent pool as a bellwether for the been rewarding to be out there having face-to-face discussionsbroader cultural change that is underway, which can help our again. In a complex, powerful industry like ours, notindustry finally fill labour gaps and diversify our workforce. everything can be solved with an email and a zoom. We can make that eternal skills shortage a thing of the past, The strategic priorities of workforce development,and as part of the solution we have begun to distribute $14 prompt payment, procurement best practices and projectmillion to B.C. construction employers who register first-year opportunities remain at the top of our agenda. apprentices in Red Seal trades, funded by the Government of Canadas Apprenticeship Service.About a decade ago, BuildForce Canada estimated that B.C.sOf course, finding talent isnt the only issue for B.C.s skilled labour shortage in 2023 would be 35,000 workers.contractors. Cash flow challenges and project risks are still Weve reduced the gap to a comparatively small 6,000 today,high as businesses struggle to balance surging service demands but Im struck by how consistently our industry struggleswith rising costs, onerous contract terms and the continuing with the same issue from year to year. The question of how toerosion of procurement best practices.attract and retain talent is always what keeps most employers up at night. BCCA continues to fight for prompt payment legislation, In some ways, society has changed permanently becauseeducate public owners about procurement and contract best of COVID-19. I feel this to be especially true regardingpractices, and find project opportunities across the province work-life balance and career, and I have come to believe thatfor contractors of every size and type. Our new Owners we are on the cusp of a significant opportunity for B.C.sOnly webinars are attracting attendees from across all levels construction workforce. of government and every corner of B.C., serving up large helpings of frank reality about how construction works and Career choices and the decisions that lead people to makewhat contractors really think. BidCentral has more projects, those choices are undergoing a massive disruption. Millionspublic and private, than ever before and continues to offer of employees across North America have quit their jobs sincenew tools that create efficiencies for owners, GCs andthe beginning of the pandemic, rethinking why and how theytrades alike.work and reconsidering what kind of job they want to do,As we head into the next fiscal year, I am grateful as always for how they want to spend their time and whats important tothe strength of talent and dedication in our staff, our Board, them in life. the leadership at the four Regional Construction Associations Many post-secondary institutions are struggling withand the many other stakeholder organizations with whom we decreased student enrolment, as young people reconsider thework so closely.value of academic education against the burden of long-termThank you for all you do for B.C.s construction industry.student debt and the ever-growing cost of living, especially housing. Even a past given like working in an officein aSincerely,closed environmentis less broadly accepted. Understanding this perspective change, BCCA launched a major talent acquisition campaign this year to support construction employers who are hunting for talent. Its called Builders Life, and you may have seen the skiers,Chris Atchison snowboarders, campers and cyclists of our campaign whilePresident, BCCAyou were watching the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup playoffs, or on billboards around your city.14 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'