December 12, 2007

Specialized Training

Residential Construction Industry Training Organization serves offers new programs

Richard Gilbert

Staff Writer

The Residential Construction Industry Training Organization is enhancing and developing new programs to serve the residential construction sector in B.C.

One of the most important challenges facing the residential construction industry in the province is a shortage of skilled labour, which affects the ability of the industry to keep up with demand. The existing apprenticeship and provincial training programs for construction trades are comprehensive, with significant portions devoted to non-residential construction. This means that construction occupational descriptions do not break down the residential components of each occupation.

In response to this challenge, the Residential Construction Industry Training Organization (RCITO) of B.C. has produced a training strategy to develop residential occupations, which will lead to training and certification within the provincial apprenticeship system. The strategy is designed to allow people to work towards a designation within the provincial apprenticeship system.

“We are creating apprenticeship programs for the residential sector of construction in B.C.,” said Mary Anne Davidson, CEO of RCITO. “We are not touching the traditional ICI carpentry programs. We are developing new programs, which have more in-depth carpentry for wood frame construction in the residential sector. These programs go through a process to get recognized. We must do a labour market analysis and an evaluation of need for the program. We have to make sure these needs are not being met by other programs and we must develop all compliance documents.”

All of the components of the program are developed in partnership with industry and must be approved by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

RCITO’s strategy is outlined in a service plan for 2007/08-2009/10, which was produced by Davidson for the ITA. RCITO is developing and enhancing training programs in four industries, which include: the log and timber building industry; the forced air/hydronics/ geothermal residential heating industry; the social, senior and aboriginal housing sector and residential maintenance companies; as well as new home builders and renovators. Processes for employers to recruit trained workers from public and private post secondary training institutions are being developed by RCITO. Davidson said she plans to develop partnerships with training program providers in 2008.

According to CMHC’s fourth quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition report, housing starts in B.C. will remain above historical levels in 2007, but are expected to decline in 2008.

Housing starts should decline slightly from 36,443 units in 2006 to 36,200 units in 2007 and 33,250 units in 2008. A tight labour market, income growth and high levels of consumer confidence will help to offset the dampening effect of rising mortgage carrying costs on the demand for new and existing homes in B.C.

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