British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Apprenticeship Services is launching a major industry-wide drive supporting small and medium construction employers to hire and register first-year apprentices.

This province-wide recruitment drive is administered by BCCA as part of the BCCA Apprenticeship Services campaign. BCCA is launching a 22-month campaign funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to enable small and medium-sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices. We also recognize that pre-apprenticeship roles (e.g., general construction labourer), are an important steppingstone to apprenticeship. As part of the service to employers, BCCA will build a pool of qualified jobseekers, provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative. Additional apprenticeship supports, advice, and resources will also be made available to successful job applicants.

To learn more about BCCA Apprenticeship Services, click here.

About the Opportunity

British Columbia has an increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, resulting in rewarding employment opportunities. As a general labourer, you will embark on a career path towards gaining valuable experience and becoming a vital asset to the construction industry. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience working with various trades while receiving a competitive wage for your work!

As a general labourer, your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Loading and unloading construction materials, and moving them to worksites
• Erecting and dismantling concrete forms, scaffolding, ramps, shoring, and barricades
• Mixing, pouring, and spreading materials such as concrete and asphalt.
• Assisting tradespersons such as carpenters, bricklayers, concrete finishers, roofers, and glaziers
• Removing rubble and other debris at construction sites using rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and other equipment
• Using hand tools and power tools
• Working from ladders and scaffolding, and in confined spaces
• Directing traffic at or near construction sites
• Managing workplace hazards and applying OHS and WorkSafeBC safety regulations and standards

About You

The ideal candidate should be motivated to learn, reliable, and hardworking, with a genuine interest in pursuing opportunities for career growth within the construction industry.

To succeed as a general labourer, you:

• Communicate, work well with others, and follow directions well
• Have good dexterity and like to work with your hands
• Enjoy working indoors or outdoors in all seasons
• Like to solve problems and build solutions
• Are physically fit with stamina for manual labour
• Have experience using hand and power tools
• Are willing to follow safety guidelines at all times
• Understand basic math
• Have strong attention to detail
• Are in good physical condition with good endurance
• Are able to work at heights, over water, or in confined spaces

Other qualifications can include (but are not required):

• Occupational First Aid training, Confined Space training, SiteReadyBC certification, and/or WHMIS training/certification
• High school diploma
• Valid BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• Prior experience in construction (hobbies, summer jobs, or volunteer activities), agriculture or forestry, manufacturing, marine services or fisheries, municipal work, or other non-construction trades are a bonus

The starting hourly rate for a general labourer is usually between $17-$22/hour. It is determined by each employer and can vary depending on skills, location, and your experience.

If this sounds like you, and you want to start your career in construction, we encourage you to apply today!

Note: Before applying, we recommend preparing a one-to-two-page skills-focused resume, including technical skills, education, and certifications you have. We also recommend including a cover letter focused on your story and prior experience to help employers understand why you’re a fit for the role and their company. Why not consider registering for a short/online construction-related course and listing it on your resume to help you stand out from other candidates?

What to Expect After You Apply

• BCCA will match your skills, experience, and abilities to job openings with construction employers across BC, and your application will be featured in a pool of qualified candidates. 
• BCCA Apprenticeship Services team will also provide you with resources to help you succeed in finding an employer match. We will notify you when and if we find a match with an employer’s hiring requirements in your location, and we will forward your application directly to the employer on your behalf. It will be the employer’s decision to contact you for an interview. 
• Your single application will generate multiple opportunities for you to be shortlisted and presented to different employers. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

Get Ready!

Here are some great resources you can use now to build your knowledge and experience in the trades:

• Self Assessment for Trades Skills (courtesy of Employment and Social Development Canada)
• SiteReady BC online construction safety orientation (courtesy of BC Construction Safety Alliance)
• Apprenticeship in BC (courtesy of SkilledTradesBC)

BCCA is committed to promoting an inclusive worksite culture. We encourage all to apply, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, newcomers to Canada, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. We work with employers through our Builders Code initiative to set a standard code of conduct for workers on construction sites in BC. It defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as the starting point for reducing risk and ensuring a safe and productive environment for all workers.

It is mandatory for BCCA Apprenticeship Services as a funded intermediary acting on behalf of Employment and Social Development Canada to provide information that has been collected from jobseekers. This includes any information related to jobseekers and apprentices hired from equity-deserving groups. Please refer to BCCA’s Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information Notice, which applies to your answers to Question 6.

Are you a construction employer?

If you are a BC-based small to medium-sized construction employer (<500 employees) looking to hire first-year apprentices, and receive thousands of dollars in financial incentives to assist you in doing so, apply now with BCCA Apprenticeship Services.