b'BCCA UPDATEChris Atchison, President, BCCAA MESSAGE FROM BCCAFIVE YEARS OF SHIFTING WORKSITE CULTURECCA celebrates the fifth anniversary of one of itsExperienced construction workers demonstrate their B keystone programs this year. Builders Code hasleadership by freely giving their time, energy and expertise provided critical training, sparked conversation andto help open doors for the next generation of construction helped improve worksite culture in that half a decade. Theresworkers. In exchange for signing the Builders Code Pledge, still a lot of work to do. they gain access to free Builders Code training and resources. Its heartening to see several of our Building Builders Our provinces construction industry has reached a pivotalmentors taking two or even three mentees under their wing. moment in its history. We are struggling to meet B.C.s direCal Duncan of Prince George is one such example: a Red housing crisis at a time of severe workforce scarcity. WithSeal Plumber and Gas Fitter, Cal mentors new talents like thousands of construction workers set to retire in the comingJyotpreet Kaur. Jyotpreet explains the importance of Cals years, we will face a shortage of 6,000 skilled tradespersonscommitment as a BCCA Building Builders mentor: Their and journeypersons by 2032. While technology like artificialwealth of experience and in-depth knowledge not only helped intelligence (AI) and robotics might help us solve some ofme navigate complex project challenges, but also offered the challenges of this workforce shortage, we will always needinsights into industry best practices and emerging trends. This skilled workers to bring their expertise and human ingenuityreal-world wisdom proved invaluable, providing me with a to construction sites.strategic advantage in my role. One of the ways we are addressing the workforce shortage isKnowing he can make a difference and positively influence by pulling from a more diverse pool of candidates than wassomeones life is part of what feeds Cals enthusiasm for traditionally the case. The reality is that B.C.s constructionBCCAs Building Builders program. Like many Building industry lacks diversity. This is unsustainable on a territoryBuilders volunteers, he reaps the rewards that come from that is home to so many Indigenous communities. It ismentoring people he considers our industrys new leaders. untenable in a province where women make up more thanClearly, embracing the next generation is a vocation that half of the population. It is unrealistic in a market wherebenefits both the mentor and mentee. Were immensely workers trace their origins to over 200 different countries andgrateful to mentors like Cal, who so generously share their where the languages most spoken after English are Cantonese,passion for their trade and our industry. The impact they will Mandarin, Punjabi, German, Tagalog, French, Korean,make on the next generation of construction workersSpanish and Farsi. B.C.s construction industry must do moreis immeasurable.to make itself more attractive to diverse groups. We must continue to make the worksite a more welcoming place, freeIf youd like to sign the Builders Code pledge or become a of discrimination, harassment and bullying. These are the coreBCCA Building Builders mentor, reach out to us today at tenets of BCCAs Builders Code program. builderscode.ca and buildingbuilders.ca. Theres no better way to help shape a bright future for B.C.s construction industry.To date, more than 1,600 construction employers in BritishColumbia agree. These signatories of the Builders Code pledge have committed to eliminating barriers to a healthy workplace environment. Many have taken online and in-person workshops aimed at identifying and correcting issues and improving workplace culture. We applaud them all. Chris Atchison Mentors participating in BCCAs Building BuildersPresident, BCCAmentorship program also understand this shifting perspective. 10 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'