British Columbia's rugged coast is dotted with communities that are isolated and removed from educational and career opportunities. A recent $250,000 gift from Concert Properties will make it possible for Camosun College to bring a "trades-on-the-go" program and Red Seal trades training to youth in these communities.
The program will run for the next three years, introducing more than 275 students to the trades. It will also help young people transition into Red Seal career pathways, opening the door to enriching and well-paying careers in the trades.
"Concert Properties has been actively supporting trades training since 1994, reflecting a key founding principal of hiring qualified labour," says Brian McCauley, Concert's President & Chief Executive Officer. "Concert strongly believes that well-qualified, skilled trades people are essential to delivering quality buildings, and we are very pleased to be able to continue our positive relationship with Camosun College through their role as a skilled trades educator."
In addition to increasing capacity for youth, Concert's financial support will help introduce sustainable building practices to remote communities. By leveraging local building resources and materials from the geographic location, tradespeople will be better able to meet the diverse challenges of building for the local climate.
"Camosun inspired me to further my education in carpentry and allowed me to remain in my hometown to build for the community," says Dustin Newcombe, a former trades training participant in Bella Coola, B.C.
"Concert's donation accelerates the pace that we can provide these opportunities to youth in these communities," says Olaf Nielsen, Chair, Trades Development and Special Projects at Camosun. "This support and partnership is affirmation that building awareness of careers in Red Seal trades and sustainable building practices are important to the future of the industry."
Concert was a major donor to the TRADEmark of Excellence Campaign, supporting the college's Empowering Women in Trades Program. "This generous gift is the latest milestone in Camosun's growing relationship with Concert," says Sherri Bell, President of Camosun College. "We are so grateful to work with a company that believes in our vision. Concert's gift is an investment in youth and innovative trades education, and it will benefit not only Camosun but society as a whole."
About Concert Properties
Founded in 1989, Concert is active in developing rental apartments, condominium homes and retirement communities, acquiring and developing commercial, industrial and infrastructure properties and in property management. With operations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and the backing of more than 200,000 Canadians represented by the union and management pension plans, Concert is committed to building strong, sustainable communities across Canada. Concert is active in the Greater Victoria area and engaged in the community as a developer and major employer of skilled trades.
