b'WCA EDUCATIONINVESTING IN GOLDLike a precious metal, Gold Seal Certification is diversifying WCA members portfoliosIn 2023, eight employees from seven WCA member companies received their Gold Seal Certification. We caught up with a couple of the award recipients to talk about their journey to Gold Seal success. Oakwood presented me with anis recognized and looks good for the opportunity to be involved in a typecompany and myself.of construction project I had not experienced yet, and I knew it was aBM: What are the benefits to having chance to become more well-roundedyour Gold Seal Certification? in my construction knowledge. AfterJDB: Going forward, as we tender more five years, I was offered an opportunityjobs and the resumes and credentials to be part of the office team managingfor team members are sent in, clients day-to-day operations. I took the leapwill recognize Oakwoods highly trained and moved to Winnipeg to be part ofteam members. That will position this team and help contribute to Oakwood better in the tender process. its success. Also, the more you deal with clients JAKE DE BOER BM: What was your motivation forin the field, they will see the higher obtaining your Gold Seal Certification?attention to detail that comes with these SHEET METAL certifications, which will create a better DIVISION MANAGER, JDB: If I am being honest, Peggyworking relationship.[Zurkan, WCA Manager of Learning OAKWOOD ROOFING & Development] was the driver. WeBM: What is it like to work for a AND SHEET METAL had talked about it in the WCA officecompany committed to Goldmultiple times. Peggy gave me the infoSeal excellence? and as I started to research, I saw that itJDB: Oakwood is a great company BUILD MANITOBA: aligned with my goals as a supervisor/ and is always committed to furthering What does your job entail? manager, and I remember thinking thatthe education of team members, JAKE DE BOER: My job entails allthis credential will hold significant weightfrom the field team all the way up to day-to-day operations of the field teams,here in Manitoba and country wide.management. I think all companies estimators and project managers. LongBM: What does being Gold Sealshould promote education. It only makes story short, if it needs to be done, thenCertified mean to you?the team and the company stronger.my team and I get it done. BM: What would you say to others JDB: It means growth and success for BM: Tell us about your history in thenot just me but my family and company.considering getting their Goldconstruction industry. It gives me something to show theSeal Certification? JDB: I have been in the industry forteam and my son that there is alwaysJDB: I would say, take the time to do 33 years. I started at the bottom asbenefit and importance in growing yourthe competency evaluation. It is a long a labourer, got into the trades andknowledge and education, even as aprocess, but in the end, it will help guide worked my way up. I have worked inlong-time worker in the industry. you to the areas you need to work on. almost all provinces, from Quebec toBM: What do you like most about theDo the courses and take something from the west. I have held many positionsGold Seal program?each course. Ask questions and learn. in the construction industry, whichAlso, reach out to Peggy for additional include three current trade tickets andJDB: I like that the competencyinformation. It is always helpful to have my NCSO [National Construction Safetyevaluation tool gave me direction andmultiple resources when learningOfficer] certification.areas for improvement. I like that itnew things.24 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'