October 9, 2025
Brynn Bourke – Executive Director
I AM OFTEN ASKED HOW TO start an apprenticeship. It happens all the time. From the cab driver taking me to the airport to the service representative helping me process a return. When people find out I work in construction, they frequently follow up with “how do I get in?”
I could not be prouder of the world-class training our union schools are providing and the fantastic careers they help launch in the trades. Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to make it as easy as possible to access information on how to join the building trades.
That’s why we built the College of the BC Building Trades. It’s why we invest significant resources in our Trades Ambassador Program, going into high schools and directly talking to students, and it’s why we dedicate an entire issue of Tradetalk magazine every year to apprenticeships.
Folks have always reached out to me to find their connection to the trades, but never so often as they are lately.
Times are really tough. People are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living goes up, and the stress and anxiety that this causes is tremendous. People are looking for something to be hopeful about, and good-paying, meaningful jobs are hard to come by.
We have those jobs, and we want to make sure people know about the world of opportunities over in the trades.
This magazine has information on all our unions. There is a trade for everyone. From those that like physical challenges, to those that are more detail-oriented — we have a wide range of programs. Inside this magazine, you’ll be able to get a snapshot of each trade, the entry requirements, wages, program length and training school contact information. If you want a deeper dive, please visit the College of the BC Building Trades at collegeofthebcbt.ca. There, you can find more information on each trade.
This magazine is mailed out to the 45,000 members of the BC Building Trades, so odds are if you’re reading this article, you already have a job in construction. That’s why we put a big red seal on the cover that says: “Please share this with the future trades people in your life”.
I am asking you to think about the people around you. Who do you know that is looking for a career change, or recently finished high school, or is new to your community and looking for work? We want to connect with them, to open the door so they can start their journey into the trades.
By Brynn Bourke,
Executive Director