Two Nanaimo companies are winners of the B.C. Construction Association’s Builders Code Champion Awards for advancing the culture of the construction sector.
Nanaimo firms Chinook Scaffold Systems and Mazzei Electric were both singled out as winners of the awards, which recognize companies that have helped increase the participation of women in construction trades.
Citing an increase of more than 2,400 women working in the industry in the last year, the B.C. Construction Association said adoption of the Builders Code in 2019 is starting to pay off on worksites around the province.
There are now 10,716 women in the construction trades, up from 8,294 in 2019, the association said. However, that’s still well below the 10-year goal of having women represent 10 per cent of the 180,000-strong construction workforce by 2028.
The association introduced the Builders Code more than a year ago with the goal of changing the culture of the industry and attracting and keeping women in the construction trades.
To do that, the Builders Code broadened the definition of safety beyond physical concerns to include stress or distraction caused by discrimination, bullying, hazing or harassment. It also gave employers tools and training to promote safe behaviour.
Chris Atchison, president of the B.C. Construction Association, said the winners are helping to shape a new workplace culture and encouraging others to get involved.
“They recognize that the Builders Code has helped them set clear behaviour expectations among employees and supported them in the development of company policies all of which are contributing to attracting and retaining employees in a tight labour market,” he said.
Mazzei was named contractor of the year for its commitment to no tolerance for any sort of hazing, harassment and bullying, equal opportunities to advance, and having a workforce that’s 11 per cent women.
“I think if you look, a lot of what the Builders Code stands for is what should be acceptable across society and there is no reason the construction industry shouldn’t be held to the same standard,” said president Ben Mazzei.
Chinook won the recruiting and hiring category for its work with other community tradeswomen initiatives and implementation of new processes to give all workers options at the company. It was also cited for its strong female component in management and commitment to promoting female tradespeople.
“The most powerful aspect of the Builders Code is simply introducing the idea of all trades people are created equal and should be given equal opportunity,” said Chinook’s Wendy Gaskill.
