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The Future Builders
Students learn skills on the job site while helping to build a home for Mattamy

It's not every day that construction workers get to meet the people for whom they're hammering nails and hanging drywall. But when Michael Kiskunas spoke with Michael and Crysta Phillips, the moment was extra special – something the 19-year-old Kiskunas will probably remember for the rest of his working days.

Kiskunas is one of 18 students helping to build a new house in a Burlington subdivision called Cornerstone in Alton Village.

Even before meeting the Phillipses, he had learned plenty through the eight-year-old pre-apprenticeship program managed by the Centre for Skills Development & Training, in partnership with Mattamy Homes.

But meeting the people who were actually going to live in the home suddenly brought the program to life.

"This isn't just another school project that you give to your mom for Christmas," he says. "You just can't help but try even harder because you know there are going to be real people moving in."

The realization was further intensified when Kiskunas learned the Phillipses have a son. "That meant to me that every nail that doesn't look right, had better be right," he says.

There are 15 men and three women in the current pre-apprenticeship program, which is comparable to a college course and includes 10 weeks experience on-site with Mattamy.

It begins with eight weeks in a classroom at the Bay Area Learning Centre in Burlington, and students can qualify for another 18 weeks of monitored, paid-work placement after graduation. There are two programs a year – starting in February and September. Tuition is about $5,900.

Not only does the program help young people acquire the skills to find employment, but it teaches them what the workplace is all about, and how to conduct themselves when they're on the job.

"They are really building someone's house and although that gives them pride, it also gives them real-life stress," says Jill Rydall, a licensed carpenter for 24 years who joined the program as an instructor four years ago.

"In the classroom we teach them skills such as using power tools and basic plumbing and electrical work," Rydall says.

"But it's completely different from the real world. So when we incorporate those skills on site, that is the key to the effectiveness of this program. They are then learning in a fast-paced environment."

The program, which includes a workshop on how to understand and get along with older generations, can also help potential employers determine whether an individual will fit in with a construction team.

"You can have a highly skilled person, but if there is a personality conflict or the person doesn't click with the others, it's not going to work," Rydall says.

The students get exposure to all areas of new home construction from framing and plumbing, to electricals and drywalling.

"The students can determine what area they want to pursue," Rydall says. "If their interest is something outside of new home construction, like custom cabinetry or renovation work, then we'll try to find a placement for that student in that line of work. So not all the students will end up on the Mattamy site."

Kiskunas may eventually prove to be a case in point. He likes what he's doing and says that it is providing valuable skills, but he also admits that he's leaning toward cabinetmaking.

"I'd like to make fine furniture and even musical instruments some day," he says.

Katrina Reiter, 22, is one of the three women students in the program. Originally from Montreal, she attended high school in Ontario and chose a workshop class just for fun.

"I fell in love with the work and it totally changed my life," says Reiter, who is focusing on framing.

"I love being able to build things and know that I'm doing this for a family. I like seeing the progress. I wanted to get involved in projects like Habitat for Humanity and this is like that, so it's really gratifying."

She says she was initially self-conscious about being one of only a few women on the construction site, but adds that the feeling didn't last long.

"I work with a great group of guys, so I'm comfortable with them now. I already had some construction basics and that helped," she says.

She says she's enjoyed making adjustments to life on the job site, including the pace of the work and the fact that it's often outdoors.

"Everything moves faster," she says, "and you're out there in all kinds of weather.

"But I love winter, so it's fine with me. I wear longjohns, two shirts and three sweaters. You get used to it. I'm just one of the guys now."

Kiskunas also enjoyed finally getting on with building the house. He says he found the classroom work a bit tedious because there was so much reading to do. Students in the program study the Ontario Building Code, math, materials estimating, communication skills, safety and more.

"But when you get on-site and are reading blueprints, it all comes together," he says.

He sees the tradespeople as a big family.

"If you were to get a whole bunch of tradespeople together, you would think they were friends before you'd think they were colleagues," Kiskunas says. "It's a really friendly atmosphere, and there are so many different trades involved in building a house. Not only are there framers and roofers, but you have window installers, plumbers, electricians, the people who put in the heating ducts and so many others. One house takes about 20 trades to complete."

Alan Harkness, construction manager for Mattamy Homes South Halton, says he is impressed by the students' enthusiasm and he really likes the fact that the program allows his company to help replenish the construction industry's skilled workforce.

"Our industry is hungry for young talent," he says. "We have labour shortages now and will have really major shortages in years to come. So having young folks like this who are willing to give it a shot is great for everyone.

"They are at a point in their lives when they are ready to make their mark. This isn't just a credit. It's a life decision."

He says the program not only encourages students to take pride in what they are doing, but it shows young people they can take control of their destiny, enjoy the rewards of hard work and make very good money while they're at it.

"The past perception of learning a trade was that it was for students who couldn't make it academically," Harkness says. "But it's really not the case now; this is a challenging profession.

"We play an active role in developing future talent. Supporting programs like this will benefit all of us. It's so needed," he says.

Rydall says feedback about the program has been good, but those who are involved are always looking for ways to improve.

"There's been a greater awareness of the program every year," she says.

"We used to have 30 people come to our information sessions. Now we have about 120 people show up. And I heard that Mike Holmes, from the TV show Holmes on Homes, hired two of our graduates – two women," Rydall says.

Even Michael Phillips sounds happy about the program – and he and his wife are the ones who bought the house that Kiskunas and the other 17 students are working on.

"Everything will be double-checked and Mattamy has inspectors," says Phillips, who works in the construction industry himself. "I know I'm getting an A-1 job done. Everything is on schedule. I've met all the students and tell them that a trade is good thing to have," he says.

"Mattamy called me and asked if I'd be interested. I thought it was such a great opportunity for them ... I was in their situation once and I'm giving them a chance to put themselves on the map."

He likes what Mattamy is doing and points out that many companies require someone to have three or four years experience before hiring them.

"Where are they going to get that experience if no one gives them a chance?" he asks.

To find out about the next pre-apprenticeship information session at The Centre, call 905-333-3499, ext. 121 or visit www.thecentre.on.ca.

The Toronto Star - Saturday, 3 February 2007, page N1, 13.
Reprinted with permission.