The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is celebrating 75 years.
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/322578
2013Apprenticeship CHAD PETRIW GREW UP NEVER WORKING WITH HIS HANDS AND LOVED HIGH SCHOOL. HE RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP TO AN ONTARIO UNIVERSITY BUT REAL IZED IT WAS NOT FOR HIM. HE THEN WORKED WITH A LANDSCAPING COMPANY AND MET SOMEONE WHO WAS DOING SMALL SCALE RENOVATIONS AND RECOM MENDED ELECTRICAL. Petriwdescribeselectricalasacleanandorganizedtrade ChadPetriwElectricalLtd.hasoneapprenticeatthemoment,but thecompany'snextstepistohireanotherjourneypersoninorderto hiremoreapprentices. Chadhasbeenworkinginelectricaltradeforsixyears,butthisis onlyChadPetriwElectrical'ssecondyearasacompany. "Thefirstyearwashardandexhausting,learningtorunabusiness isn't easy," said Petriw. "It is a lot of work, however there is a satisfaction of being your own boss. I don't think its for everyone, butIloveit." Petriwsaidtheapprenticesipprocessisavaluableexperience. "It'simportanttoteachapprenticeshowtodogoodwork,"hesaid. "Evenifpeoplecan'tseeyourworkitshouldbeneatandorganized. Apprenticesshouldlearnhowtodoit–youcan'tjustshowthem. It'simportanttobeabletogetalongwithyourco-workersandtreat themfairly,Peopleneedtobewillingtosharetheirknowledge–the apprentices are our future. I enjoy teaching, I want to share my knowledge,butIlearnfrommyapprenticeaswell." Petriw said he tries to guide his apprentice by example during regularday-to-daywork. "In business you are learning everyday and each job is a little differentbutit'simportanttotakethetimetogetitdonerightthe firsttime,especiallywithanapprentice,"hesaid."EvenifI'mbusy Itakethetimetoexplaineverything.It'simportantanditkeepsthe jobsafeaswell." Petriwsaidthereexistsplentyofopportunityintrades. "It's important to open people's eyes that it is a business, a professionalbusiness,"hesaid. Petriwdescribedapprenticeshipas'genius'. "If you are at all interested in the trades, the Apprenticeship program is phenomenal," he said. "It's great being able to work with your hands as well as learning and the combination of the twopeoplemeansyouareabletolearnquickly.Theapprenticewill remembertheseskillsforlife." URBAN EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR CHAD PETRIW ELECTIRCAL LTD. F I N A L I S T CHAD PETRIW ELECTRICAL LTD. HAS ONE APPRENTICE AT THE MOMENT, BUT THE COMPANY'S NEXT STEP IS TO HIRE ANOTHER JOURNEYMAN IN ORDER TO HIRE MORE APPRENTICES. SUBMITTED PHOTO WINNIPEG'S BUILD AN ACRONYM FOR BUILDING URBAN INDUSTRIES FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT IS A SOCIAL ENTER PRISE AND PRETRADE NONPROFIT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR HOME RETROFITTING THAT HIRES ABORIGINAL, NEW COMER AND INNERCITY RESIDENTS ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE LABOUR MARKET. BUILD works to retrofit homes with insulation and high-efficiency toilets as well as water-saving and energy-saving devices, offering up pre- trade training in energy retrofitting, plumbing and carpentry. BUILD is working to expand their scope of work to a take on other varieties. Over the years, the number of apprentices working with BUILD has grown from 20 participants to more than 100, growth that has been possible with extra help from trainers as well as a partnership with Red River College. Last year a group of 12 apprentices from BUILD were accepted into the training program at Red River. All are now Level 2 apprentices and all have jobs. Recently BUILD has formed partnerships in order to purchase as well as renovate their new building on Main Street. BUILD is a social enterprise centre that will continue to grow economic development in the community. Apprentices played a huge role in renovating the new building, creating strong attachments and allowing them to see how their efforts benefitted the community. The relationships BUILD creates with trainees goes above and beyond the expectations of most pre-trade training. BUILD offers life skills support that fills in gaps many of their clients are missing. BUILD offers their clients extra support, whether it's transportation, food sponsors or counselling that help stabilize their lifestyles. BUILD understands that everyone has a different life story and aims to accommodate all. BUILD is a one-of-kind social enterprise in Winnipeg URBAN EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR BUILD (BUILDING URBAN INDUSTRIES FOR LOCAL DEVELOPEMENT) F I N A L I S T WINNIPEG'S BUILD AN ACRONYM FOR BUILDING URBAN INDUSTRIES FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND PRETRADE NONPROFIT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR HOME RETROFITTING THAT HIRES ABORIGINAL, NEWCOMER AND INNERCITY RESIDENTS ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE LABOUR MARKET. SUBMITTED PHOTO 04 A P P R E N T I C E S H I P AWA R D S O F D I S T I N C T I O N | 2 0 1 3