Monthly Archives

July 2017

Jul 14
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New Syrian Immigrants Become DC 38 Painting Apprentices

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This week we have had the pleasure of welcoming some special new apprentices to the DC 38 family.

Park and Derochie (Seaside), who is one of our largest Industrial Painting contractors, approached Painting Representative Justin Chapman, with a new and unique opportunity. Through the BC Alliance for Manufacturing, Park and Derochie (Seaside), was able to identify former citizens of Syria who had worked previously in construction trades in their former homeland. These individuals were presented as hard working, honest and reliable people who were looking for an opportunity to prove their worth and to make a new life for themselves in Canada.

Seven individuals, along with their interpreter, Manal Nour, have spent the past week receiving their safety certifications, as well some hands on training in paint prep, in advance of their starting with our contractor on Monday.

Both Safety Director Andrew Swan and Painting Representative Justin Chapman had some extremely positive things to say about the work ethic, and the ability to grasp information and retain it, that these individuals displayed. They also made mention of their gratitude, politeness and willingness to help one another with their assigned tasks.

While walking through our facility, one of the Syrian trainees got extremely excited when he saw our Drywall Finishing students at work. It turns out that he had worked as a Drywall Finisher in Syria for 15 years. Being a member of DC 38, he will have the opportunity to move to the Drywall program if he so chooses at a later date.

We will be exploring the possibility of bringing in additional Syrian workers in the coming weeks, as one of our Hazardous Materials Abatement Contractors, Enviro-Vac environmental, has also expressed an interest in giving these individuals an opportunity to work in the Hazmat field.

DC 38 and the Finishing Trades Institute of BC is proud to be involved in programs such as these. Apart from some language issues, we are certain that these new apprentices have all the tools necessary to succeed in our industries. We look forward to assisting more new immigrants in finding a better life here in Canada.

Jul 05
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DC 38 Raises Funds for Research into Juvenile Diabetes

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Business Manager Dave Holmes A.K.A. Wayne Campbell and DOT Paddy Byrne A.K.A. Garth Algar.

 

At the recent CLRA golf tournament, Business Manager, Dave Holmes, and Director of Training, Paddy Byrne, assumed their alter-identities as Garth Algar and Wayne Campbell from, Wayne’s World, in order to raise funds for research into Juvenile Diabetes at UBC.

On a hot and sunny day which was perfect for golf, but less so to suit up in pads for hockey, Dave and Paddy asked golfers to take a turn matching their hockey skills against the formidable goal tending of Garth Algar.  Each golfer, for the cost of $10.00, had three chances to beat Garth and be entered into a Draw for a Brand New iPhone and Apple Watch. There was also a last place prize, dinner with Paddy and Dave!

At the end of the day $1,400.00 was raised, and apart from the numerous welts from hockey balls, (Garth wasn’t wearing upper body pads because of the heat) everyone seemed to enjoy the antics of our hockey playing heroes. Only 3 of the approximately 140 golfers were able to put all 3 of their shots behind Garth and he has the bruises to prove it.

Thanks to everyone at CLR for putting on a great tournament and special thanks to the Vancouver Golf Club for allowing us to put on this event at such a pristine golf course.

Jul 05
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NABOC Osoyoos 2017

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Ray Natraoro makes pitch to NABOC on behalf of Stalkaya Environmental

 

At the recent NABOC Conference held June 27 to 29th in Osoyoos, our newest Hazardous Materials Abatement Contractor, Stalkaya Environmental, made its latest pitch to First Nations business representatives with regard to it’s services as a Hazardous Materials Contractor, and as a conduit to opportunities for apprenticeship for Aboriginal workers through DC 38 and the FTI of BC.

NABOC or the National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference, meets around the province of British Columbia in various communities in an effort to highlight and promote Aboriginal Business and opportunities for the public at large to become more aware of the great work being done by business people from First Nations communities.

Stayalka Environmental is a joint venture arrangement where Enviro-Vac Environmental has entered into a partnership with majority shareholder Ray Natraoro, who is from the Squamish First Nation. Ray was able to make a pitch, on behalf of Stalkaya, to over 200 business representatives from the Aboriginal community as well as others from a wide variety of backgrounds from all across Canada. Ray made the case that young people working for his company not only had the opportunity to make a good living with union wages and benefites as Hazmat Workers, but also had opportunities through Stalkaya’s partnership with our union, to receive Red Seal apprenticeship training in one of our 4 finishing trades, if they chose to go that route.

There were several impressive presentations made at the NABOC and Stalkaya’s story, as told by Ray, resonated as impressively as those who had already been in business for years. This was a great opportunity to network and bee seen and Stalkaya made a great first impression at the Conference.

Delegates to NABOC Osoyoos 2017 listen to a presentation from Stalkaya Environmental.