Chinook Scaffold Systems And Mazzei Electric Earn Provincial Awards
Wendy Gaskill, Corporate Safety Manager of Chinook Scaffold Systems
NANAIMO – Just call them the Builders Code Champions.
Nanaimo’s Mazzei Electric as Contractor of the Year and Chinook Scaffold Systems as Recruiting & Hiring Champion were two of six employers earning Builders Code Champion Awards for BC’s industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.
The BC Construction Association (BCCA), the Builders Code Governance Committee and Minerva BC judged the awards, which were launched in 2019 to recognize companies that took proactive measures to eliminate discrimination and harassment on worksites throughout the province, as well as prioritizing the importance of psychological and physical safety for all workers.
Other winners were Westcana Electric of Prince George as Loyalty Champion, RAM Consulting Ltd. of Vancouver (medium sized employer) and Lafarge Canada of Vancouver (large employer) as Workplace Culture Champions, and Houle Electric of Vancouver as Community Champion.
Wendy Gaskill, Corporate Safety Manager, has been with Chinook Scaffolding for six years, and says they’re excited about receiving the award, which recognizes companies that hire the best talent based on skills, experience, and attitude; work to attract diverse candidates; look for ways to remove barriers that hold them back; and compensate all employees at fair market value regardless of gender, race, religion, or ethnicity.
“We’re pretty stoked about it,” Gaskill says. “It’s tough for women to break into the industry, so organizations like this really help to level the playing field for us.
“The most powerful aspect of the Builders Code is simply introducing the idea of all trades people are created equal and should be given equal opportunity.”
Chinook Scaffolding has shown its focus on culture and values by signing the Builders Code pledge, and they were awarded a Champion Award in 2019 for their efforts. They have shown their continued efforts toward equity by working with other community tradeswomen initiatives, such as Women Building Futures (WBF).
While they are aware their trade is one that requires a degree of physical strength, they’ve implemented processes that are designed to ensure all workers can have a fulfilling career with their company. They have a strong female component in management positions, with a continued commitment to promoting female tradespeople – it is driven from the top down. They clearly have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to inclusivity.
This was the latest in a string of awards for Mazzei Electric.
Ben Mazzei
“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,” states President Ben Mazzei. “I think if you look a lot of what the Builders Code stands for, that is what should be acceptable across society and there is no reason the construction industry shouldn’t be held to the same standard.”
The Contractor of the Year Award recognizes companies that are committed to achieving an Acceptable Worksite and building a diverse workforce where all employees are able to perform at their best and reach their full potential.
Mazzei Electric is a signatory of the Builders Code pledge. They ensure that we provide inclusive workplaces (this includes no tolerance for any sort of hazing, harassment, bullying, etc.), and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to advance with us. 11 per cent of their workforce is women, and had their first female sub-foreman this year as well promoting a female Service Electrician into the Service Manager position.
Chris Atchison
“On behalf of everyone at BCCA, Minerva BC and all our Builders Code partners, I want to thank our winners for their support of the Builders Code and their leadership across the province during this challenging year,” said BCCA President Chris Atchison.
“These award recipients, the other nominees and the companies throughout BC who have adopted Builders Code are helping to shape a new workplace culture for construction and encouraging others to get involved. They recognize that the Builders Code has helped them set clear behaviour expectations among employees and supported them in the development of company policies all of which are contributing to attracting and retaining employees in a tight labour market.”
The Builders Code is co-funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, with financial contributions from the BC Construction Association, WorkSafe BC, the Industry Training Authority, LNG Canada, the BCCA Employee Benefits Trust, and the BC Construction Safety Alliance. It is also supported by the province’s s four Regional Construction Associations and the Minerva Foundation of BC.