August 27, 2024 – Procore is helping fund two of the Calgary Construction Association’s Education Fund initiatives to inspire youth to learn about the skilled trades.

“To address the skilled labour shortage challenge, we must advocate for the industry and support education in construction across the country, from elementary school to post-secondary education,” said Nolan Frazier, regional sales director, Procore. “We’re excited to be a part of Calgary Construction Association’s efforts as they inspire the next generation to consider careers in this vital sector.”

The donation will be used to support elementary school programming that will bring skilled-trades curriculum to over 30,000 students in Calgary, and the Telus Spark Science Centre BLUPrint program.

In partnership with Honour the Work, CCA will deliver a curriculum to 850 classrooms across the Calgary Catholic School District and the Calgary Board of Education. Honour The Work was created by educators and supported by industry leaders to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skilled trades careers.

The curriculum features science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics, skills (STEAMS) kits designed for students in grades 1 through 6. The kits offer hands-on activities and include lesson plans, digital resources, building materials, and books that highlight the value of skilled trades.

The association’s partnership with Telus Spark Science Centre will create a series of exploration spaces called BLUprint (Build + Learn + You) where youth can experience real tools, get hands-on learning related to carpentry, plumbing, and electrical trades, and understand the science connections. Youth can also learn about the trades through virtual reality.

“The labour shortage is the challenge of our times, and we believe it’s our responsibility to lead the charge in addressing this issue,” said CCA president & CEO Bill Black. “By introducing students to the skilled trades early on, we are not only helping to secure the future of our industry, but also providing young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in these rewarding careers.”