workforce development – Building Builders

Building Builders reaches 650+ mentorship matches six months ahead of schedule

13 October 2026 by Tom Gogela

BCCA’s Program matches aspiring construction professionals with experienced Mentors, building the construction workforce British Columbia needs

OCTOBER 13, 2026 (VICTORIA, B.C.) – The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is celebrating having connected over 650 new workers and apprentices with experienced construction professionals through the Building Builders Mentorship Program, kickstarting hundreds of careers and filling gaps in B.C.’s construction workforce.

“We’re proud to announce that the Program reached this milestone six months ahead of the target date, set at the end of March 2027,” says Chris Atchison, President and CEO of the BCCA. “This speaks to the demand for and success of the program – we know that experienced professionals are enthusiastic to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of construction workers, and we know that B.C. needs skilled workers. Our job is to connect the two.”

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, Building Builders is the only construction mentorship program serving all of B.C.’s construction industry. Built by construction for construction, for the past four years Building Builders has been making connections between experience and ambition, helping to build the future of B.C. Construction.

It’s about attracting, supporting, and retaining construction workers through the entirety of their careers, by connecting them with experienced, well-suited mentors and mentorship resources. It supports individuals from groups underrepresented in the industry, drives economic development, and creates inclusive, collaborative, and productive work environments.

The program has transformative impacts for new construction workers and the industry workforce. Mentors work across 30+ trades, with nearly half holding red seal certifications, while almost half of mentees are pursuing apprenticeship. “This ensures a range of expertise and deep experience to train the next generation of tradespeople that the province needs,” says Atchison.

Building Builders is a BCCA initiative to create mentorship opportunities and is one of many BCCA workforce solutions for the construction industry. We are proud to shape the next generation of construction leaders, in partnership with those leading the industry today.

To learn more and get involved with the Building Builders program, visit: https://buildingbuilders.ca/about/

Key Program Stats:

Mentor/Mentee matches to date: 650
Number of Mentees who participated in volunteer work experience, job shadow, or site visit: 314
Number of Mentees who have registered for SiteReadyBC training: 423
Number of Mentees who gained employment or got promoted while participating in Building Builders: 198
Number of cities and towns across B.C. with Building Builders Mentors and Mentees: 57
Number of Mentees and Mentors who received BCCA Builders Code information packages: 1,110

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About the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA): BCCA is a non-partisan and non-profit organization, working with four Regional Construction Associations to serve more than 10,000 employers in the province’s industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential multi-unit construction industry regardless of labour affiliation. BCCA advocates on behalf of employers, so B.C.’s construction sector remains productive and resilient.

For more information about Building Builders, visit: https://buildingbuilders.ca/about/
For more information about BCCA, visit: https://bccassn.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Greg Descantes
gdescantes@pacegroup.com
604.417.1379

600 Matches: How TKI Construction and Princess Plumbing are Building the Future

9 July 2026 by Joey Bulman

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Building Builders Mentorship Program has officially crossed 600 matches. We are rapidly approaching our program target of 650. This milestone proves that BC’s construction industry is actively committed to transferring knowledge and building a resilient workforce.

Mentorship works best when it fits the specific needs of the people involved. To celebrate 600 matches, we are highlighting two different approaches to mentorship: internal professional development and direct 1-on-1 guidance.

Scaling Internal Mentorship at TKI Construction

TKI Construction demonstrates how companies can grow talent from within. Now in their second Building Builders cohort, TKI Construction has enrolled 25 participants across carpentry, project management, estimating, and safety.

Left – Right: Jesse Tregilges, Jesse Van Oene, and Richard Cambrey – TGI Construction

Mentees work alongside their Mentors on active job sites. This blends daily hands-on coaching with scheduled career development meetings. The results speak for themselves. Several mentees have advanced through their apprenticeship levels during the program, and others have successfully achieved their Red Seal certification.

TKI Construction also integrated Builders Code training for both Mentors and Mentees to reinforce a strong culture of professionalism. By building mentorship directly into their professional development plans, TKI Construction proves that investing in people is a primary driver of business growth.

1-on-1 Mentorship at Princess Plumbing

Mentorship is equally powerful on an individual level. Mahara Gibson-Zeinoun, owner of Princess Plumbing in Vancouver, is currently guiding two women entering the plumbing trade through entirely different models.

Emily Seeley (Mentee – virtual mentorship)

Emily Seeley (Virtual Mentorship): Emily lives on Vancouver Island, while Mahara is based on the mainland. They built a strong virtual mentorship through regular calls and texts. Mahara recently advised Emily on utilizing program support funds to purchase the correct tools for her career. They recently extended their mentorship for another six months and plan to use program transportation funds to meet in person.

Left: Chanapa (PLOY) Yupraphat (Mentee) and right: Mahara Gibson-Zeinoun (Mentor)

Chanapa “Ploy” Yupraphat (Hands-On Mentorship): Ploy took a direct, local route. She recently completed 160 hours of work experience directly under Mahara. Following that success, Mahara hired Ploy as a first-year apprentice. Ploy is now officially registered with SkilledTradesBC and is on her way to becoming a certified Red Seal Plumber.

The strength of BC’s construction sector relies on the passing of the torch. Whether it happens across a company roster or between two people on a job site, mentorship builds the future of the trades.

Are you an employer looking to structure your internal training? Or a skilled tradesperson ready to pass on your knowledge? Join the Building Builders program today.

Culture from Within: How Donald Flooring Uses Mentorship to Build the Next Generation

6 January 2026 by Joey Bulman

_{President – John Gillard (Sales & Project Manager); Mentee – Zeynep Polat (Project Coordinator); Mentee – Levi Nguyen (Project Coordinator); Mentor – Jennifer Seehra (Safety & Organizational Development Manager)}

Mentorship is often viewed as a relationship between two people, but its impact is arguably strongest when it is woven into the fabric of a company’s culture.

This January, during Mentorship Month, we are spotlighting Donald Flooring, a company that has enrolled members of their team in the Building Builders mentorship program and applied it internally to drive professional development, safety awareness, and leadership skills.

While the BC Construction Association (BCCA) advocates for workforce development at a provincial level, the real work happens on the ground. It happens when leaders like John Gillard, the President of Donald Flooring, decide that investing in people is the only way to build a sustainable business.

“Employee mentorship is one of the most valuable investments an organization can make in its people,” John says. “When experienced team members guide newer or developing employees, the benefits ripple across individual careers, team culture, and overall business performance.”

The Structure of Internal Support

At Donald Flooring, this philosophy is put into practice by Jennifer Seehra, a Safety & Organizational Development Manager who has taken on the role of Mentor for two of her colleagues: Levi Nguyen and Zeynep Polat.

Jennifer sees mentorship as the bridge between self-directed ambition and professional reality. By using the Building Builders program, she supports Levi and Zeynep in creating clear, actionable roadmaps for their careers.

“We all grow in this process—investing time, sharing knowledge, and celebrating progress,” Jennifer explains. “It’s a privilege to have the support from John that allows me to take on the challenge of two Mentees and cheer them on as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders.”

Real Results for the Next Generation

_{Mentor – Jennifer Seehra, Safety & Organizational Development Manager}
_{Mentee – Levi Nguyen, Project Coordinator – Tile}

For Levi, a Tile & Stone Project Coordinator, the mentorship experience has been about cementing the fundamentals. His focus has been on estimating with confidence, construction safety, supporting his team, and making new industry connections.

“I really appreciate Jennifer’s guidance,” Levi shares. “Backed by the great support from John at Donald Flooring and on-going check-ins with Sue from Building Builders, [this] has been key to setting a solid career roadmap.”

_{Mentor – Jennifer Seehra, Safety & Organizational Development Manager}
_{Mentee – Zeynep Polat, Project Coordinator}

For Zeynep, a Project Coordinator looking to advance into a Project Manager role, the program has provided the technical confidence she needs. She is focusing on the BC Building Code, regulations, and personal branding.

“My experience as part of the Building Builders program has opened the pathway to truly self-reflect about my career in the construction industry,” Zeynep says. “Being part of an organized mentorship experience sets one on the path of being intentional about career choices within their organization.”

Why This Matters

Donald Flooring demonstrates that you don’t need to look outside your organization to find value in the Building Builders program. By formalizing their internal training through our mentorship structure, they are retaining top talent and ensuring that institutional knowledge is passed down effectively.

To John, Jennifer, Levi, and Zeynep: thank you for showing the industry what a “culture of mentorship” looks like in practice.

Are you an employer looking to structure your internal training? Or a skilled tradesperson ready to pass on your knowledge? Join the Building Builders program today.