Investing in mentorship within your own company can transform workplace culture, strengthen employee connections, and boost professional development. Westcana Electric Inc. exemplifies this approach through their commitment to internal mentorship programs, leveraging the Building Builders initiative to create meaningful growth opportunities for their team.
Westcana Electric Inc.: Champions of Mentorship and Workforce Development
Westcana Electric Inc., with locations in Prince George, Terrace, Fort St. John, Kamloops, and Kelowna, has been a steadfast supporter of mentorship and construction workforce development initiatives. Their partnership with the BC Construction Association’s (BCCA) Workforce Development programs dates back to 2018. In 2019, Westcana won two Builders Code Champion awards in the inaugural Builders Code Annual Awards program and have gone on since to win three more Builders Code Champion Awards, demonstrating their leadership in Workplace Culture and commitment to diversity in the trades.
Building Builders became part of Westcana’s journey in Spring 2023, after their team connected with the mentorship program at the Northern Regional Construction Association’s (NRCA) Build the North Conference & AGM. This connection led Westcana to expand its involvement by integrating mentorship into its company culture.
In August 2023, Westcana’s commitment to mentorship deepened, with leaders participating as Mentors. By Fall 2023, their enthusiasm for mentorship was highlighted during the NRCA Women in Construction (WiC) event, where Westcana leader Doug Engstrom (Red Seal Construction Electrician and Westcana’s Vice President) inspired others to join Building Builders.
While being recognized in April 2024 with one of their Builders Code Champion Awards at the Build the North Conference & AGM, Westcana expressed plans to strengthen internal mentorship efforts. A dedicated coordinator was assigned to work with the Building Builders team to organize, match Mentors and Mentees, and follow up throughout the six-month duration. These connections have fostered professional development, improved employee retention, and built stronger connections within the company.
Through Building Builders, Westcana has demonstrated that mentorship is both simple and impactful. Building Builders Mentorship Program Advisors (MPAs) provide guidance, check-ins, and resources—at no cost. Westcana continues to lead by example in developing BC’s construction workforce.
With Building Builders’ Company Mentorship Program, it’s simple and effective. You can choose specific Mentor-Mentee pairings to enhance skills within your company or let dedicated MPAs handle the matching process. MPAs also provide ongoing support, regular check-ins, and access to valuable resources, including BCCA Workforce Development programs and provincial initiatives—all at no cost to you.
Here’s what Doug Engstrom has to say about the mentorship program:
“The Building Builders Mentorship Program has proved to be very rewarding and valuable for Westcana Electric.
Mentors and Mentees learning from each other, providing fulfilling career opportunities, increasing motivation and productivity, and employee retention are the type of benefits we’ve seen.
As both a Mentor and Mentee I’ve enjoyed sharing my knowledge, asking questions and learning from others. I’ve also been a Mentor outside of Westcana Electric’s employees and found it to be just as rewarding, enjoyable and with a very reasonable time commitment of just one hour a month.”