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Mentorship Matters: Experienced Journeypersons Essential to On-the-Job Apprentice Training

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We here at the FTI of BC and DC 38, take pride in the education and training our apprentices receive, both at our training facility and with our experienced members on the job.  In fact, we count on those seasoned members to instill our values of hard work, pride in our chosen craft, and dedication to a job well-done into our newest members. 

With the luxury of time being in short supply on almost every project we build, it is essential that our existing Journeyworkers pass along these values and skills in the most efficient way possible. This is why we have decided to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of good mentorship through the “Mentorship Matters” program.

Effective mentorship is essential to the development of an apprentice’s skills and to their success in their chosen trade.  A good mentor on the job helps to guide the apprentice by reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, and by passing on the knowledge and expertise they have gained through years of experience.

The FTI of BC’s progressive approach to mentoring trains both Journeyworkers and apprentices, with the “Mentorship Matters” program.  Developed by SkillPlan, in partnership with the IBEW’s Electrical Joint Training Committee, this forward-thinking collaboration aims to prepare Journeyworkers to become effective mentors, and apprentices to develop the skills necessary to become good mentees. 

It is common knowledge that more than 80% of an apprentice’s learning takes place on the job through mentoring relationships.  As a result, mentors have a huge impact on the safety, quality, and productivity of every jobsite.  Every qualified Journeyperson owes their trade skills to the experienced Journeypersons who have mentored them along the way. This essential transfer of knowledge helps perpetuate our crafts and ensures the ongoing evolution of each individual trade.

Many mentor/mentee partnerships develop into lifelong friendships which is reflected in the video that accompanies this article. This is proof positive of the value effective mentorship can have on an individual’s life, as many a mentee can attest to.

Mentors are respected tradespeople who take the time to reach out to each of the apprentices on the jobsite. In construction, time is money which is why effective mentorship is so important.  Mentors help their mentees to learn and grow; they are invaluable to the training process and we need more Journeypersons to do their part by helping in the transfer of skills and knowledge. 

We will be sharing video clips and information over the next couple of weeks, to show the value of the work that mentors do and the ways in which a mentee can benefit from on the job instruction.

For more information on “Mentorship Matters” or how you can participate in training, contact the FTI of BC.

FTI BC AND IUPAT DC 38 CHAMPIONING CHANGE IN WORKPLACE CULTURE WITH BE MORE THAN A BYSTANDER TRAINING

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IUPAT DC38 Local 163 Rep Kevin Weston and President & Director of Training Paddy Byrne presented the Be More Than A Bystander training to the Level 1 and 2 Painting & Decorating class at the FTI BC on Friday, January 31.

This training is essential to creating an inclusive workspace free from gender-based violence and harassment and our team are proud to be a part of moving forward together.

Local 163 Rep Kevin Weston (second from the left) with the class
President & Director of Training Paddy Byrne

STATEMENT FROM BC BUILDING TRADES

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February 3, 2020

The BC Building trades welcomes today’s BC Supreme Court ruling refusing to hear a charter challenge of B.C.’s Community Benefits Agreement construction framework. 

“What happened today is the BC Supreme Court has, for the second time, told the Christian Labour Association, the Independent Contractors’ and Businesses Association and others that their criticisms of CBAs do not rise to the level of issues heard by the Court,” said Andrew Mercier, executive director of the BC Building Trades. 

The challenge was put forward by the ICBA, the Progressive Contractors Association, CLAC and others. 

The court ruled that the applicants’ submissions with respect to union membership requirements under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms did not belong before the court. 

In fact, charter arguments in the case had already been struck from the application last July. The court ruled at that time that the BC Labour Relations Board was the proper forum for charter arguments. 

While today’s ruling marks the second time a charter challenge of this province’s CBA framework has been struck by the judicial system, higher courts have repeatedly dismissed charter challenges to similar labour agreements in place across Canada. 

The Merit Contractors Association, which is affiliated to the ICBA through Merit Canada, challenged Manitoba Hydro’s union membership policy in 2012. The case was dismissed by the Queen’s Bench of Manitoba and again on appeal.

FTI BC featured in JOY TV’s Fraser Focus Trades Expo 2019 Video

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JOY TV’s Fraser Focus was at Trades Expo 2019 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, BC on October 23/24 and spoke with FTI BC about the finishing trades and our hands-on activities.   

Fraser Focus stated that the BC Construction Association have reported a large shortage of skilled tradespeople entering into the industry.  2/3 of the current workforce are over 45 and looking to retire.  When they do, they will take all of their knowledge and skills with them.  Seeing the need to foster and build a new workforce, Trades Expo was created. 

Trades Expo features highly skilled tradespeople who want to train youth, pass on their knowledge, and encourage trades as a career path.  The youth love the practical, hands-on demonstrations and the opportunity to try-out several trades options in one space.  Our Virtual Reality Painting Simulator, Virtual Reality Boom Lift Simulator, and Glazing Crane were popular and are featured in the video.  Please take a minute to watch our FTI BC educators and reps in action!

Surrey Christmas Bureau

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IUPAT District Council 38 heard about the theft of Teen gifts and gift cards from the Surrey Christmas Bureau and wanted to help. 

On behalf of DC38 and FTI BC, Local 163 Rep Kevin Weston dropped off a cheque this morning for $500 to help make Christmas merry and bright for local families.  The Surrey Christmas Bureau was very happy to accept the donation and said that Unions are always supportive of them and the community.

Local 163 Rep Kevin Weston presenting a cheque to Lisa Werring, Executive Director of the Surrey Christmas Bureau

DC38 member’s son wins prestigious A. L. “Mike” Monroe/Ralph D. Williams, III Sports Scholarship Award

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Left to Right: Adrian Horsburgh, DC38 Business Representative; Keith Hand, Father of the recipient and member of Local 138; Dan Jajic, DC38 Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer

DC38 would like to congratulate Trevor Funk, son of Local 138 member Keith Hand, on receiving the A. L. “Mike” Monroe/Ralph D. Williams, III Sports Scholarship Award.  The $5000 scholarship is awarded to accomplished student athletes, giving them the opportunity to pursue their athletic ambitions while earning an advanced educational degree at the academic institution of their choosing.

Trevor has been playing Lacrosse since he was 4, and his skill and determination were frequently recognized and sought out. In 2017, he was selected for Team BC and played in both the Nationals in Toronto, Ontario and the North American Indigenous Games.  Trevor was drafted 8th overall in the 2018 BC Jr draft to Coquitlam where he played for the Coquitlam Jr A team, and most recently was invited to tryout for Canada’s National Jr Tier 1 team.

Through his hard work and dedication, Trevor is well on his way to realizing his life-long dream of becoming a professional Lacrosse player.  Trevor has committed his life to the pursuit of his dream and is proud to have been given the opportunity to attend Lewis University in Illinois, where he is currently studying Criminal Justice and playing Lacrosse for the Lewis University Flyers.  Trevor plans to use the $5000 scholarship on tuition, books, and travel costs.

On behalf of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, DC38  is proud to have been able to present Trevor with his scholarship and we wish him the best of luck on his academic endeavors. 

Park’N Fly Corporate Program for DC38 Members

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Park’N Fly corporate program for discounted airport parking rates is now available for all employees and members of IUPAT District Council 38. Park’N Fly’s “Best Value” in Airport Parking can be used for business or personal travel.

To take advantage of these great rates, please contact your DC38 Rep for the DISCOUNT CODE. You will need to quote the code at the counter to receive the discount – they cannot look up company name at the counter. If you register online, the discount is applied automatically.

To register online for the rewards program, please go to https://www.parknfly.ca/Member/Registration.aspx?referralid=16611&coupon=1038212

FTI-Implementation-form-2019-edited

Construction Trades Job Fair

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The Construction Trades Job Fair is coming up on October 5th from 9am – 3pm!

Come try out our new VirtualPaint virtual reality spray painting simulator and learn about job opportunities for in demand trades, as well as sponsored apprenticeships with subsidized tuition!

There will be live demos and prizes. Parking for the event is free.

Saturday October 5th 9am – 3pm. 4333 Ledger Ave, Burnaby BC.

For more information, email TradesOpportunityGroup@gmail.com

Finishing Trades Institute of BC First IUPAT Training Centre in Canada to Receive NACE NIICAP AS-3 ITO Accreditation

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District Council 38 (DC38) Finishing Trades Institute of BC (FTI BC) recently became the first training centre in Canada to receive Nace Industrial Institute Contractor Accreditation Program (NIICAP) Accreditation in accordance with AS-3 ITO requirements.

To receive accreditation, an Independent Training Organization (ITO) audit must show:

  • Very thorough review of the management, technical infrastructure, training and qualification of the instructor(s), training plans, lesson plans, testing content, and security of an organization’s independent training program and its facilities
  • [Verification] that the training program content, program management, methods of delivery, testing practices, and objectivity of the testing protocol meets the NIICAP requirements at the time of the audit and during bi-annual maintenance audits.

This accreditation opens the doors to DC38 Industrial Painting Contractors to achieving the highest level of contractor certification NIICAP offers. Third party certifications attained through NACE, SSPC and the Interprovincial Red Seal prove that DC38 members and contractors are steadfast in providing the safest workforce while delivering the best quality product in the industries we represent.

The audit letter, attached below, details the commitment and spirit of FTI BC personnel, and the overall impression that FTI BC is a modern, well-run, very robust and professional training facility that provides significant training needs at the local level.

For more information on NIICAP, please see http://www.niicap.net/about

If you have difficulty accessing the full letter, you can find it here

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