Ontario Construction News staff writer
Community Builders received a $100,000 donation this week from the RBC Foundation to support skilled trades training programs in Barrie and Simcoe County, Greater Sudbury, Muskoka and Sault Ste. Marie.
RBC Foundation supports community partners helping individuals to build in-demand skills, gain meaningful work experiences and/or support industry-relevant credentialing, with the goal of helping them to obtain their first job, a better job, or grow within their chosen career.
“At RBC, we believe that investing in people is the most powerful investment we can make in our communities. Community Builders embodies what RBC Foundation looks for in a partner, an organization that meets people where they are, equips them with real, in-demand skills, and opens doors to meaningful careers,” said France Thibeault, RBC regional vice-president, Muskoka North. “With 89 per cent of graduates securing life-changing jobs, the results speak for themselves. We are proud to support an organization tackling two of the most urgent challenges: the shortage of skilled tradespeople and the need for affordable housing, at the very same time.”
An event, hosted in the Bracebridge Training Centre of Community Builders Muskoka, included local social service agencies, members of the chamber of commerce and Business Improvement Association, as well as dignitaries from regional town councils and the District of Muskoka.
“Community Builders are a rare example of a win-win-win … trainees gain skills and overcome barriers, communities gain much-needed new housing projects, and our economy gains badly needed new workers in the skilled trades,” said Jeff Lehman, district chair of Muskoka. “I want to thank the RBC Foundation for their investment in this incredible organization, which is growing and making a difference right here in their new Muskoka location.”
Since Community Builders was launched:
- $31 million in construction projects were completed, 75% of which were affordable and social housing projects.
- 532+ housing units were renovated, and 160+ new affordable housing units were built in more than 20 communities in Ontario.
- 430+ trainees have completed our paid 12-week training program, with 95% achieving stable employment within 3-6 months of graduation.
- Last year, our trainees were a very diverse group: 54% youth, 50% had some form of disability, 28% visible minorities, 25% women, 19% BIPOC, 16% newcomers to Canada, 13% Indigenous, and 8% 2SLGBTQI+.
“Community Builders continues to connect those who need work with the work that needs doing,” says Executive Director Carly Gasparini. “Our program offers a learning environment for those who want more than just a classroom; it offers a community where they are not only educated in skills but also gain the confidence they need to create a new path for themselves.”
Community Builders is a leading social enterprise contractor in Northern and Central Ontario, working hard to solve two of Canada’s biggest issues: the affordable housing crisis and the skilled labour shortage, a statement announcing the contribution said.
