ASSOCIATION PROFILE
“Covid-19 interrupted our start very specifically
because if your approach to promotion is hands-on
experience, it’s impossible to do that during Covid-19,”
said Carter.
Undeterred, LDCA put STEC on hold and went digital
– developing an interactive Q&A webinar called, ‘So
You Want to Be a Skilled Trades Person?’ to be delivered
to local employment agencies and high schools within
LDCA’s coverage area. It features both a home builder
and an industrial-commercial tradesperson with their
respective apprentices on a jobsite answering questions
and demonstrating techniques. The viewer can interact by
asking questions.
Science centre of construction
In addition, LDCA will become a group sponsor for
apprentices, helping to take some of the administrative
burden away from smaller firms. The association also
plans to launch an innovative training program that isn’t
trade specific. Instead, the program introduces potential
recruits to several trades, and they self-select their
specialty as they make their way through the program.
LDCA’s long-term aspiration to draw more people to the
construction industry has been billed as, “The Ontario
Science Centre for construction,” and it would be built in
the heart of London.
“We want to have a Science Centre of Construction
that you can go in with all the different divisions on construction:
concrete, foundations, painting, electrical,
mechanical, flooring, etc. Our goal is if you went into this
building, you’d be able to have a hands-on experience to
play with electrical and mechanical components and go,
‘Hey, that’s cool, maybe I should get into that!’ We hope
retired construction professionals would volunteer their
time as part of it to show young people why the construction
industry is so great,” said Harris.
While that remains a longer-term goal, the LDCA
remains constant, providing all the services, training,
plans room access and events that have built its reputation.
For over a century, LDCA has worked to unite the
local construction industry, including those in the foundations
sector.
“Our industry is about good foundations and strong
working relationships; with your general contractors,
your concrete suppliers, steel suppliers and all of
those folks who keep our industry strong. The LDCA is
about finding solutions for every part of the industry,”
said Carter.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LDCA ARCHIVES
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