August 30, 2010

Barrie Construction Association partners with Georgian College on courses

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Barrie Construction Association (BCA) and Georgian College are partnering to offer BCA members a series of continuing education courses. First up this fall is a 30-hour, Gold Seal-certified construction law course.

“Georgian has quite an extensive course list,” said BCA administrative director Alison Smith.

“There is no reason for us to reinvent the wheel when the college is in our own backyard.”

The association represents some 400 general and trade contractors, architects, engineers and allied professionals in the Huronia region. It has been working closely with the college on various initiatives to ensure a sustainable workforce.

Linda Trott, manager of continuing education and workforce development for Georgian’s school of engineering technology, environment and apprenticeship, said the college is “excited” to work with the association to develop, promote and facilitate courses that meet the specific needs of BCA members.

“By offering Barrie-based training and courses, led and developed by industry experts, we are going to fill a need in our local area for continuing education in this sector,” Trott said.

“In the past, many of these employees have had to travel to Toronto or larger city centres for these types of courses and would often choose not to do so because it was inconvenient, expensive and time-consuming.

“Now they can upgrade and expand their education right in their own backyard.”

The construction law course will be presented at the BCA offices on Victoria Street. Trott said additional Gold Seal courses will be offered down the road.

Continuing education isn’t the only way Georgian College and the BCA are working together for the benefit of the industry.

Most recently, the BCA launched an initiative to support the college through a challenge for its members to hire as many Georgian co-op students as possible. BCA member companies have hired more than 50 co-op students, many from the new civil and construction programs.

“It was a true demonstration of how Georgian and BCA members can work together to help our students get the hands-on experience they need to become the best possible future employees in the sector,” said Tom St. John, co-ordinator of the school of engineering technology.

“BCA members benefited from having an affordable temporary workforce and from testing out and moulding future new employees. Georgian benefited from having leading employers in the sector support and hire our students.

“It was certainly a win-win situation and we were grateful to the BCA members for their efforts and enthusiasm to work with Georgian and our students.”

Last March, the association facilitated a job fair/career show at Georgian that gave members an opportunity to showcase their companies and also meet students looking at career options.

BCA also offers student memberships at a nominal fee.

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