Builders Code

A skilled tradesperson is an asset, not a gender.

 

The Builders Code is a pilot program announced in March 2019, and funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  It’s main goal is to ensure that BC’s construction employers can more easily adopt and champion HR policies guaranteeing the equal and fair treatment of women in BC’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction workforce.

This is a “fix the system, not the women” project to help drive a culture shift in BC’s construction industry that will contribute to improved retention of women in the trades, and in the longer term lead to a decrease in the number of unfilled skilled tradesperson jobs in BC’s construction sector.  

The Builders Code is a multi-partner initiative focused on organizational change.  It is provincial in scope, provides supports to both union and open shop construction employers, and is focused on retention of tradeswomen through improved policies and practices on the part of employers that will reach into the workforce as a whole.

Research shows that equal and fair treatment of all employees is essential for a safe and productive workplace overall. 

The Builders Code is framed around three action areas with a complementary emphasis on policy, practice, and value.

Virtual HR Team

• Turnkey online Policies and Guides for inclusive, harassment-free construction sites
• Equity Advisors to personally assist construction employers managing escalating situations

Culture Training

• Construction-specific training programs targeting key segments of the workforce:
  • Crews (digital training only)
  • Site Supers and Foremen (classroom training)
  • Executives and Owners (classroom training)

Exemplary Employer Campaign

• Promotion and celebration of construction employers who are ahead of the curve

For more information about the Builders Code, please visit: www.builderscode.ca

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If you’re a construction tradeswomen in BC, we want to hear from you. Sign up for our Virtual Feedback Team and have a say as the program unfolds.

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Founded on Partnership

 

The Builders Code brings together an influential group of collaborating partners, who already support construction employers through their daily activities of safety, training, benefits and business services. This partner network is one of the most powerful elements of the Builders Code.

Funding

 

The Builders Code is generously funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training through the Canada-BC Labour Market Development Agreement (BC-LMDA) and the Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program (SLMP). Read about the funding announcement: Premier Horgan unveils supports for women building a career in the trades.

 

The Builders Code also receives funding from these project partners

 

 

Governance Committee

 

The Builders Code Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the development of the CWEP project, ensuring good governance, accountability, and transparency, and to ensure achievement of the stated objectives of the project.  The committee is comprised of women in construction.   The committee will review all elements of the project before they are introduced to the public.