Malaspina carpentry grads build new buildings for their old school

When does a carpentry program know it is a success? It is when the graduates return as journeymen and apprentice carpenters to build new buildings for their old school.

Such is the case at Malaspina University-College where two contractors are building a new five-storey teaching/office building, a heavy duty/carpentry shop and have hired 15 graduates of Malaspina's Carpentry & Residential Construction program and Carpentry Apprentice technical training program to work on the projects. Campbell Construction Ltd. hired 11 students and Knappett Construction hired four students.

Ross Ballard, Malaspina University-College carpentry instructor said, "I was walking past the projects the other day and started counting past students of ours. It was really gratifying to see all those familiar faces out there working in the construction trade and actually building new trades buildings for Malaspina. It was quite exciting."

John Scheeren, superintendent for Campbell Construction Ltd., the contractor building the new five story ASTEC building, said, "Campbell Construction is always looking for carpenters who take pride in their workmanship. I notice that Malaspina's carpentry instructors are very proud of their students, some of whom are becoming our key people. The Malaspina carpentry students generally have a good attitude and skills and like the idea that they're building something lasting for their community."

Job opportunities for B.C. tradespeople are bright but the construction industry itself may be heading for a problem. Scheeren said, "There's no doubt in my mind that we're facing a severe crisis in trades because of the lack of trained tradespeople to replace the many who will be retiring in the next ten years. Campbell Construction is doing everything it can to emphasize the need for trained tradespeople for the future."
The 10-month Carpentry & Residential Construction certificate program offered at Malaspina covers the basic aspects of carpentry and residential construction to prepare students for employment as carpenter apprentices in the residential and commercial building industry.
There are jobs available for journeymen and apprentice carpenters in the mid-Island region. For more information about Malaspina's Carpentry & Residential Construction program, contact Ross Ballard at: (250) 753-3245 ext. 2259, or by email: ballardr@viu.ca.