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VICTORIA, BC – [November 2, 2026] – The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is pleased to recognize a generous $100,000 contribution from the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) Research, Development, and Opportunity Fund (RDO Fund) in support of Honour the Work, a national initiative dedicated to introducing young people to the skilled trades and building awareness of career opportunities in the construction industry.

The contribution builds on more than $102,000 already raised from industry partners following the launch of Honour the Work in British Columbia through a partnership between the BCCA, and the BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association (BCRBHCA).

BCCSA’s $100,000 RDO Fund contribution will support the continued growth of Honour the Work across the province, helping more elementary school students to explore the skilled trades through hands-on educational activities and resources designed to inspire curiosity and early career exploration.

As BC’s construction industry continues to face workforce shortages and growing demand for skilled workers, initiatives like Honour the Work are increasingly important to developing the next generation of tradespeople. By introducing students to the skilled trades early, the initiative helps build awareness, challenge outdated perceptions of construction careers, and encourage more young people to consider the opportunities available in the industry.

“Building a strong construction workforce requires investment at all levels of the skilled trades,” said Chris Atchison, President of the BC Construction Association. “Honour the Work is helping young British Columbians see the value, opportunity and pride that come with a career in the skilled trades. BCCSA’s support through the Research, Development, and Opportunity Fund builds on the tremendous commitment we’ve already seen from industry and demonstrates the leadership and collaboration needed to develop a sustainable workforce for the future.”

“Industry is stepping up to address our long-term workforce needs, and with the right partnerships and continued support, we can build on that momentum. We thank BCCSA for recognizing the importance of this work and helping Honour the Work continue to grow,” said Matt Pitcairn, President of BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association.

Together, BCCSA’s contribution and the funds already raised from industry partners represents more than $202,000 in support for Honour the Work since its launch in BC. This support reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the construction industry and addressing its long-term workforce challenges.

“Our industry knows that building a strong safety culture and a strong workforce starts with education and awareness,” said Mike McKenna, Executive Director of the BCCSA. “Through the BCCSA Research, Development, and Opportunity Fund, we’re proud to support Honour the Work and help more young British Columbians discover the opportunities available in the skilled trades. Investing in that early exposure is an investment in the future of BC’s construction industry.”

With continued demand for skilled workers across BC’s construction industry, attracting young people into construction is essential to the industry’s long-term success. Sustained investment in early exposure and career awareness will help ensure BC has the skilled workforce needed to deliver projects for generations to come.

Continued collaboration between government, educators and industry will be essential to expanding the reach of initiatives like Honour the Work and ensuring more young British Columbians have opportunities to explore rewarding careers in construction.

“Investments like this are about more than supporting a single initiative. They’re about investing in the future of our industry and the people who will build British Columbia in the decades ahead,” said Jeannine Martin, President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, which donated $20,000 earlier this year.

BCCA extends its sincere appreciation to BCCSA, its Board of Directors and Research, Development, and Opportunity Fund Committee for this generous contribution and their commitment to the future of BC’s construction industry. BCCA also recognizes the many industry partners whose contributions have helped build momentum behind Honour the Work and expand opportunities for young British Columbians to discover careers in the skilled trades.

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 BC’s construction sector remains productive and resilient. For more information about BCCA, visit: bccassn.com

About the BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association (BCRBHCA):
The BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association represents more than 300 companies involved in building and maintaining British Columbia’s transportation infrastructure. As the provincial voice of the road building and heavy civil construction industry, the Association advances advocacy, safety, innovation, and workforce development while supporting a strong and sustainable industry. For more information about RBAHCBC, visit: roadbuilders.bc.ca

About Honour the Work:
Honour the Work, founded by educators and supported by industry leaders, is designed to address the skilled trades labour shortage by sparking interest in these careers at an early age. The heart of the program is the curriculum-aligned STEAMS Kits (Science – Technology – Engineering – Math – Skills), tailored for grades 1-5. These kits offer hands-on activities that bridge classroom learning with real-world skilled trades careers, complete with lesson plans, curricular outcomes, digital resources, building materials, and diverse children’s literature celebrating skilled trades. For more information about Honour the Work, visit: honourthework.ca/supports/bc-program/

About the BC Construction Safety Alliance:
The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is a not-for-profit association that provides services to more than 62,000 construction companies employing more than 220,000 workers. We are funded by construction, plus select aggregate and ready-mixed industry who support us through a portion of their WorkSafeBC annual assessments.

The BCCSA is governed by a Board of Directors whose members represent all areas of the industry: residential; road building; aggregate; ready-mixed; industrial, commercial, institutional; and heavy construction. Worker safety is our number one priority. To that end, we offer a range of services that (1) focus on injury prevention and creating or enhancing a culture of safety on construction sites; and (2) meet a diversity of needs among owners, managers, supervisors, and workers.

The BCCSA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA). For more information about BCCSA, visit: bccsa.ca

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Media Contact:
BC Construction Association
Greg Descantes
gdescantes@pacegroup.com
604.417.1379