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OCTOBER 13, 2026 (VICTORIA, B.C.) – The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is celebrating having connected over 650 new workers and apprentices with experienced construction professionals through the Building Builders Mentorship Program, kickstarting hundreds of careers and filling gaps in B.C.’s construction workforce.

“We’re proud to announce that the Program reached this milestone six months ahead of the target date, set at the end of March 2027,” says Chris Atchison, President and CEO of the BCCA. “This speaks to the demand for and success of the program – we know that experienced professionals are enthusiastic to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of construction workers, and we know that B.C. needs skilled workers. Our job is to connect the two.”

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, Building Builders is the only construction mentorship program serving all of B.C.’s construction industry. Built by construction for construction, for the past four years Building Builders has been making connections between experience and ambition, helping to build the future of B.C. Construction.

It’s about attracting, supporting, and retaining construction workers through the entirety of their careers, by connecting them with experienced, well-suited mentors and mentorship resources. It supports individuals from groups underrepresented in the industry, drives economic development, and creates inclusive, collaborative, and productive work environments.

The program has transformative impacts for new construction workers and the industry workforce. Mentors work across 30+ trades, with nearly half holding red seal certifications, while almost half of mentees are pursuing apprenticeship. “This ensures a range of expertise and deep experience to train the next generation of tradespeople that the province needs,” says Atchison.

Building Builders is a BCCA initiative to create mentorship opportunities and is one of many BCCA workforce solutions for the construction industry. We are proud to shape the next generation of construction leaders, in partnership with those leading the industry today.

To learn more and get involved with the Building Builders program, visit: https://buildingbuilders.ca/about/

Key Program Stats:

• Mentor/Mentee matches to date: 650
• Number of Mentees who participated in volunteer work experience, job shadow, or site visit: 314
• Number of Mentees who have registered for SiteReadyBC training: 423
• Number of Mentees who gained employment or got promoted while participating in Building Builders: 198
• Number of cities and towns across B.C. with Building Builders Mentors and Mentees: 57
• Number of Mentees and Mentors who received BCCA Builders Code information packages: 1,110

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About the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA): BCCA is a non-partisan and non-profit organization, working with four Regional Construction Associations to serve more than 10,000 employers in the province’s industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential multi-unit construction industry regardless of labour affiliation. BCCA advocates on behalf of employers, so B.C.’s construction sector remains productive and resilient.

For more information about Building Builders, visit: https://buildingbuilders.ca/about/
For more information about BCCA, visit: https://bccassn.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Greg Descantes
gdescantes@pacegroup.com
604.417.1379