NON RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INCREASING.

Our featured presenter for last Tuesday’s meeting was Jan Robinson  CMA currently Interim President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association

Her topic was Construction activity and major projects in the VRCA.

She started by giving us a short history of the Association which now has 700 member small independent construction companies in the non-wood frame construction industry. It was formed in 1929 and since that time its members helped build many of the cities landmarks such as the Lions Gate bridge and are currently involved in  many projects including the Hotel Georgia Restoration ,Surrey Central Library the new RCMP “E” Division HQ in Surrey and the Port Mann Bridge upgrade. Continued increases are being seen in Construction activity in our region. She cited many of the challenges facing the construction sector in coming years-Skills shortage as retiring craftsmen leave the industry.The advancements in Green Technology,the fact that only 5% of the construction workforce are women so there is a need to find ways to increase this %.The need to even the qualification requirements across Canada.

Jan had many facts and charts showing the trends and answered many questions from our members.

For more information their web page is   http://www.vrca.bc.ca

Suchita Kahlon presented Jan with atoken of our appreciation  following her presentation.