Prince George-based Westcana Electric was one of six B.C. businesses to be honoured with a 2020 Builders Code Champion Award on Monday.
The awards were launched last year to recognize construction companies taking proactive measures to eliminate discrimination, hazing, bullying and harassment on worksites in B.C. Westcana Electric was named the 2020 Loyalty Champion. Since the Builders Code program was launched in 2018, the number of women working in construction trades in B.C. has grown from 4.6 per cent to six per cent of the workforce.
“Builders Code sets the foundations, the building blocks for a positive culture. It’s something we strive to follow, and I recommend other companies strive to follow it," Westcana Electric vice president Doug Engstrom said in a press release. "Open up your doors, be inclusive be respectful, hire more women, be diverse, it’ll have a positive effect in your company.”
It's the third Builders Code Champion Award for the company, which won two last year.
Westcana is a member of the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal and Education Training Associations (PGNAETA) Women in Trades Program. Their workforce is 30 per cent female – five times the provincial average participation rate for women in trades.
The company is based in Prince George, with locations in Terrace, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson and Penticton.
"This award category recognizes companies that value their employees and hire with retention top of mind. Their managers and supervisors work hard to create a safe, positive, and productive worksite and are invested in the development and success of all employees," a statement issued by the B.C. Construction Association said. "(Westcana Electric) offers progressive benefits such as flexible schedule, family leave, access to childcare, and other competitive advantages that keep your workers loyal. Their local leadership proves their proud commitment to building a construction industry that works for everyone."
Judging for the awards by done by Minerva BC, the B.C. Construction Association and the Builders Code governance committee. The awards ceremony planned for this month was cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year's other recipients were Chinook Scaffold Systems and Mazzei Electric – both based in Nanaimo – and Houle Electric, RAM Consulting Ltd. and Lafarge Canada of Vancouver. Houle Electric, Chinook Scaffold and Lafarge all have Prince George locations.
A video with featuring interviews with the award winners, including Westcana's Engstrom, can be found online here: https://youtu.be/nFRnx0JeRG4.
