2022/23 Workplace Culture and Diversity Champions

The 2022/23 Builders Code Champion Awards Winners Have Been Selected!

Congratulations to all our Winners & Nominees!

Read the full news release.

Kinetic Construction

Kinetic Construction

The Houle

Houle Electric

RAM Consulting

Lacey Construction Ltd.

Island Red Cedar Construction LTD Winner 2022

Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd.

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The Builders Code Awards are designed to recognize employers who are making a positive difference in advancing the worksite culture of BC’s industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sector. To be considered for an award, organizations must demonstrate their commitment, leadership and action towards creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and increasing the retention of tradeswomen in their company, advancing the provincial goal of 10% women in BC’s construction workforce over the next 10 years.

2024 Award Winners 2021 Award Winners 2020 Award Winners 2019 Award Winners

2022/23 Award Winners

Recruiting and Hiring Champion: Kinetic Construction
Contractor of the Year (Large Company Category): Houle Electric
Workplace Culture Champion (Large Company Category): Houle Electric
Workplace Culture Champion (Medium Company Category): RAM Consulting
Community Champion: Lacey Construction
Contractor of the Year (Small Company Category): Island Red Cedar Construction

Award Category Descriptions:

Community Champion

You know that changing perceptions about working in the trades takes time, effort, and a commitment to community. That’s why you help educate others about the opportunities for women and members of other equity-deserving groups to build a rewarding career and reach their full potential in the skilled trades, and support your tradespeople to mentor others. You promote education, awareness, and training that positively impacts your community, company, and employees.

Contractor of the Year

You are applying for this award because you couldn’t decide which other category fit you best. You are fully committed to achieving the peak definition of “Acceptable Worksite” and building a diverse workforce where all employees are able to perform at their best and reach their full potential. You attract the best talent, improve the quality of your work, increase your productivity and supercharge your ability to innovate – and you have the stories to prove it.

Recruiting & Hiring Champion

You know that skilled and experienced workers are the foundation of your business and you are committed to hiring the best talent based on skills, experience, and attitude. You work hard to attract diverse candidates and look for ways to remove barriers that hold them back. You are known for your hiring practices, including compensating all employees at fair market value regardless of gender, race, religion, or ethnicity.

Workplace Culture Champion

You are known for your respectful, safe, and inclusive workplace culture, which is the pride of your management and employee team. You ensure the health, safety, and well-being of everyone on the Worksite by recognizing that safety protection goes beyond PPE, and encouraging each employee to recognize their role in a safe and productive worksite culture. You hold your employees and sub-contractors accountable, ensuring a work environment free from harassment, hazing, and bullying.

How to Enter the 2023/24 Champion Awards

Visit the 2024 Champion Awards Page.

Selection Process

Minerva BC and the BCCA will review all submissions for completeness, eligibility and ensure that each nomination fulfills all of the criteria.

The Judging Panel will be comprised of the Builders Code Governance Committee, Minerva BC and the BCCA.

Benefits of Participating

Celebrate your success!
Increase retention of skilled tradespeople
Demonstrate your commitment to workforce culture and development

“Builders Code sets the foundations, the building blocks for a positive culture. It’s something we strive to follow and I recommend other companies strive to follow it. Open up your doors, be inclusive be respectful, hire more women, be diverse, it’ll have a positive effect in your company.”

Doug EnstromVice President, Westcana

“We’ve certainly had benefits from implementing the Builders Code from a business perspective. What that has really led to is maintaining or building a really high retention rate for female employees – as well as creating a culture to create new opportunities for female employees to go out of administrative staff into technical roles.”

Freddy RawjiTalent and Business Development Manager, RAM

“I would absolutely recommend the Builders Code. I think it’s important that we have, I guess you can call it a platform across the industry that we are all held to the same standards.”

Ben MazzeiPresident, Mazzei Electric

“It (Builders Code) demonstrates a leadership commitment to a safe working environment psychologically for employees.”

Lincoln KyneVice President General Manager at LafargeHolcim

“We got involved with the Builders Code and we were able to make some changes right from the get go.”

Wendy GaskillCorporate Safety Management Team, Chinook Scaffolding

Houle is very committed to the Builders Code, it forms the basis of our work practices, and we think that all construction companies would benefit from having a similar commitment to the Builders Code because then we all know and are working with the same set of rules.

Chuck PhillipsPresident and CEO, Houle Electric

“Adopting the Builders Code has had a surprisingly positive impact on our organization. It has created a common understanding of what acceptable worksite standards are and has greatly reduced any subjectivity of the matter. The training has been very beneficial and has provided our site leaders with the tools, knowledge and information that they need in order to share, teach and promote the benefits of the code internally, as well as to sub-trades. It has resulted in more cohesive, respectful worksites and increased productivity. We look forward to the day that all contractors take the pledge!”

Allison GreavesHuman Resources Manager, Durwest Construction Management Inc.

“It’s [Builders Code] a great thing from a productivity standpoint. You have people happy and getting along and not looking over their shoulders – you’re going to get the best out of people.”

Jesse UnkeDirector Project Management, RAM

“Since the 2019 awards, the Builders Code has extended more training for our foremen and supervisors, which has continually opened up the conversation of ensuring all worksites are acceptable. We would like to thank the Builders Code for recognizing the gap, providing measures to ensure acceptable worksites and promoting women in trades throughout our construction industry.”

Taylor ManhasSafety Coordinator, Westcana Electric

“Winning a 2019 Champion Award really motivated Chinook Scaffold to find additional ways to promote the inclusion of women in the workplace. It has opened doors for us to partner with training institutions and provided collaboration opportunities with other forward-thinking companies. We commend the BCCA and the Builder’s Code for recognizing and addressing the under-representation of tradeswomen in BC.”

Wendy GaskillCorporate Safety Management Team, Chinook Scaffold

“Cultures elevate based on time and many perspectives ultimately coalescing around a thought that galvanizes citizens to change their behavior. Elevating the culture of the BC construction industry so that bullying, harassment and discrimination are left behind, is that galvanizing thought around which programmes like the Builders Code were created. Congratulations to the creators of the programme. We are all benefactors.”

Clyde ScollanPresident & CEO, Construction Labour Relations Association of BC

“We are committed to creating a workplace that supports equity and diversity. Our support of the Builders Code will help the province grow and retain its skilled labour pool.”

Andy CalitzCEO, LNG Canada

“Our people are what makes Houle successful, and we’re devoted to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees.”

Paul HillPresident, Houle Electric