We love finding new projects to challenge ourselves with – especially when they align with good people and great endeavours that we can fully stand behind. So when a partner of ours brought forward an amazing opportunity to not only put our skills to work, but to share it all with the students at Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre, we couldn’t wait to get involved.
The Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre is a unique training facility based in North Vancouver. Through courses such as Introduction to Construction Worker and Introduction to Piping, they take a holistic approach to both the education and training needed to help their students secure jobs in a trade-related field. This supportive approach also includes addressing the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and poverty that students may have been faced with throughout their lives.
The Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre includes both classroom and applicable skills training, held on-site in their massive workshop spaces. The intention of the program is to make sure they leave the program ready to be hired. This is where we became involved, as an industry educator working closely alongside the existing instructors. Our veteran team member, Jared, was the perfect fit for this role. Patient, passionate, and experienced, Jared has led two sessions of the four-month Introduction to Construction Worker course to-date and has seen tremendous results.
For example, during this last course program the students have been learning how to build a house. Starting in the classroom, the students gained an understanding of the materials, the trade math, and the process involved, and then during a 2 week intensive workshop build they got to work. They built a 20′ x 12′ x 8′ foot structure, built the rafters, and then also learned how to paint the building. Understanding safety (including the option of getting safety certificates) and becoming comfortable with the tools in a safe, secure environment is pivotal to their success.
By working with educators such as Jared who are experienced in the field, the students learn what it takes to move beyond the classroom and succeed in the workforce. Working with PSC for over 3 years, Jared knows the ins and outs of commercial construction and can share his real-life stories, examples, tips and tricks on what it takes to be an integral part of a construction team.
“Being invited to be a part of this program, with its history of helping students improve their futures, has been an inspirational and educational journey in my personal and professional development as well.”
Find out more about The Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre through their website or by emailing tradescentre@squamish.net.