Recognizing that skilled tradespeople are an essential part of the development and construction industry, Concert has been working with industry partners since 2002 in support of trades training.
For years, Concert’s annual charity golf tournament primarily raised funds for the Concert Properties & Industry Partners Trades Discovery Program which helps young people explore careers in approximately 20 different construction trades. This program disburses graduation grants of $200 towards recovering the cost of enrolment in the Trades Discovery Program as well as grants of $1,000 or $2,000 as an incentive for going on to enroll in a specialty Trades Training Program. In recent years, Concert broadened the list of organizations supported to include those in Toronto and reflect the company’s growing operations. For example, Concert now contributes to the B.O.L.T. and Hammerheads programs which provide awareness and learning opportunities related to the building trades for youth associated with The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. In addition, Concert is proud to support the ACCESS Trades, a program designed to increase training and apprenticeship opportunities in Vancouver's urban Aboriginal community.
Each year, Concert receives numerous notes of thanks from those who have received funding towards their studies at BCIT. These are just a few excerpts:
“The Trades Discovery program helped me tremendously in the general knowledge of each trade. I didn’t even know there were so many different trades.”
“Completing my two-week-long job shadow with some heavy duty mechanics helped me to gain more perspective and insight into what it was to be a mechanic. I loved it! I confronted my inhibitions and discovered that it is absolutely within my reach if I dedicate the time and willingness to learn. If it wasn’t for BCIT and the Trades Discovery Program, I never would have had the amazing, life-changing opportunity. I am now waiting for my full acceptance into the Heavy duty Mechanic Foundation program!”
“Going into the Trades Discovery Program, I had no experience in trades but it has helped me in many different ways. I have learned about many different trades, gained the basic skills and what to expect from them; also how to use and operate many different hand tools. Without taking the Trades Discovery Program, I would not have ever expected myself to take up electrical as my career.”
The organizations in Toronto that Concert has been supporting have their share of inspirational stories too. This one in particular stands out:
“David was referred to the B.O.L.T. Day of Discovery by his Children’s Aid worker in 2010 and after completing a one job shadowing experience he applied to George Brown College’s Construction Trades Techniques Program, as well as, to the Hammerheads Program. Upon acceptance to both, David decided to pursue the Hammerheads Program. Although David had to overcome several obstacles during his Hammerheads training, he successfully completed the program and was placed as a Rodman. He is now in his second year of his apprenticeship and is earning a very substantial wage.”
To date, Concert has been successful in raising a cumulative $1.8 million in support of students in trades and technology programs related to the construction industry through various initiatives. Going forward, Concert will continue to do its part in supporting an ongoing supply of highly-skilled and well-trained trades people to the construction trades industry.