We’re nearly halfway through 2019, and it’s time to reflect on the changes made to our educational courses following the completion of last year’s Education Needs Assessment.
In 2017, VRCA applied for a grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) in order to fund an industry-wide study to identify unmet education needs. In 2018, the REFBC graciously awarded VRCA grant funds, which allowed us to hire a consultant to undertake the study. RDH Building Science was awarded the contract, and performed the study during the summer and fall of 2018. VRCA received the study data later that year and immediately began implementing new courses that reflected the unaddressed needs identified in the report.
Some new and exciting classes added include:
- Planning for foremen
- Microsoft project
- Love them or lose them: Employee retention
- Lead to succeed: Leadership skills for foremen
- LEED: Material training
- Responding successfully to an RFP
- Close out a construction project
- Hiring in a labour shortage
- Green building rating systems: An overview and comparison
Numerous classes were very well received by our members and will be added to the 2019/2020 program. Furthermore, additional new and engaging courses will be added to the education program throughout the new year to continue the evolution of our course offerings.
VRCA is incredibly grateful to the REFBC for providing us with the funds to undertake this important study. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to enhance our educational offerings for the benefit of our members and the construction community.
If you have any questions about this study or about VRCA’s education department, please contact Andrea Ringrose, Manager, Education, at [email protected].