Strengthen & Protect our Industry Jobs by Educating Ourselves
by Martha George

Cambridge - Yes, it was a heck of a year. For many of us it was the hardest of times. For others, it was the acknowledgment that the economy is cyclical and bad times always follow good times. The rainy day we were all warned about became a flood. And while most of us survived the Great Recession, all of us experienced someone close to us - friends or family - losing a job and sometimes even more. Without a doubt times are still hard. But we are a generous community and we are known for our helping hands. What is as important as generosity is creating sustainable businesses that bring jobs to our community. There is no better way to create a strong and healthy construction industry than to encourage our employees (and management) to "continually educate." By creating a more knowledgeable workforce, we can strengthen our businesses from top to bottom. Healthy businesses create employment at all levels.

Red Seal: Is Money in the Bank!

To encourage a more educated workforce (which increases productivity) is the Red Seal program. For all those employees who write their Red Seal exams they receive a cash payment of $2,000. This is cash in the pocket to your employees. Trades people working in the construction industry who have completed their school and apprentice hours and should be encouraged to take the next step and write the Red Seal Exam. This gives them journeyman status to work in all provinces across Canada. As an employer, encourage them to write it; it builds a better construction community. Employees can contact the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities to set up the exam date.

Go for the Gold (Seal Certification)

Remember that promise your made to yourself? That you would apply for Gold Seal Certification based on your long years of experience and expertise.

Your chance to do this is just about gone. Before you know it, the option for Sr. Practitioner will no longer be available, and certification will be by examination only. If you have a demonstrated 15 years in the industry, along with education credits, or if you have 20 years experience in the discipline of estimator, project manager, site superintendent, you may qualify without the examination.

We have more information on the Gold Seal program on our GVCA website.