The Enhanced Construction Program (ECP) is a collaboration between the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) and UBC Local 494 Windsor. The program allows Grade 11 and 12 students to study at the Union’s training facility for a semester, rather than attending their local high school. Participants gain hands-on construction experience, earn health and safety certifications, and have the opportunity to complete a four-credit co-op placement with a union contractor.
The program has been highly successful in attracting young people to the trades, teaching them foundational skills, and connecting them with contractors seeking to employ skilled youth. “The things we learned here touched on a lot of the basics. Enough that you could go out on a job site, they can put tools in your hand, and you can go to work” said Keith Weston, a former program participant who, nearly five years later, is still employed with the union contractor partner where he began his co-op placement. “Honestly, I think it was the best decision for me because I was not a university goer by any means, and the high school that I was at, actually didn’t offer any trades. So, this was a great way to get into the trades and get some experience.”
Thanks to an investment through the Government of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund Training Stream, the program will expand into three new high school districts in the areas surrounding Ottawa, Hamilton, and London in partnership with UBC Locals 93, 18 and 1946. In addition, the GECDSB is now replicating the program with union partners in the electrical trades, demonstrating how UBC training is leading by example for others in the industry.
A media event was held on May 29th at Local 494’s training facility in Windsor to announce the expansion. Logan Kane, Area Training Manager for Southwestern Ontario, commented: “This program has allowed students to have real-world opportunities in the classroom and put real futures in their hands. What we’ve been able to build is something that extends beyond the curriculum and results in meaningful careers. What sets this program apart from a typical high school experience is simple – they’re not talking about construction; they are learning construction… these students are gaining real-world experience in real-world environments.”
