Employers
Are you facing workforce challenges and thinking about succession planning? As an employer in Nova Scotia’s construction industry, you realize the need to develop and retain our future workforce.
Building Futures for Youth (BFY) is a competitive paid summer Co-op program that offers grade 10 and 11 students across the province the opportunity to safely explore careers in the construction sector through paid summer work, so that they can make informed career choices regarding their future occupations. Co-op placements provides academic credit for structured job experience with a mentor and provide the support of a supervising teacher. By simultaneously hiring students as a paid employee, they are immersed in a more authentic learning experience and are motivated to stay engaged.
Why You Should Hire a Building Futures for Youth Student
As an employer in Nova Scotia’s construction industry, you realize the need to develop and retain our future workforce. By investing in a 200-hour employment term, you can:
• Identify potential future employees and invest in your own company’s succession plan
• Support local youth in construction industry career exploration
• Establish lasting relationships with schools, teachers, students and their families in your community
• Receive publicized recognition for supporting the BFY program
• Gain a young summer employee who is vetted, safety trained, motivated and prepared to work
• Receive CANS member incentives such as web advertising, education credits, printing services, member events, and many more
All Building Futures For Youth Students Are Ready To Work
Before a BFY student starts work with your company. They will be:
• Pre-screened through a rigorous application process
• Motivated and well prepared towork safely
• A minimum of 16 years of age with a valid SIN
• Registered as a pre-apprentice and will not count towards the Journeyperson/ apprenticeship ratio at your company
• Issued temporary work permits by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for compulsory certified trades
• Provided safety training at NSCC and have their own PPE (safety boots, hard hat and safety glasses)
• Certified in OH&S, WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, Fall Protection, and Staging and Scaffolding Awareness.
Your Commitment
• You have the option to attend student interviews to meet with potential employees, or you can save time and trust BFY to match you with the right candidate.
• Students are available to work in July and August, and the program is a 200-hour commitment.
• Since the program is also a Co-op, there will need to be a Mentor assigned to supervise the student, and a Teacher will be checking in periodically.
• We suggest fair market wages, but salary amounts are the decision of the employer. The student must be added to your WCB but is also covered by SIP (School Insurance Program).
• The student is subject to the same rules of work as all other employees. Employment can be terminated at any time if expectations are not being met
Wage Subsidy Program
Recognizing that some companies may have thedesire but lack the resources to become a Host Employer, BFY has initiated a Wage Subsidy Program. Our goal is to help provide meaningful career-related work experiences in the construction industry. If you would like to offer a summer position but funding is an issue, talk to us about how we can help.
PREVIOUS HOST EMPLOYERS
Since its original pilot in Halifax in 2008, there have been more than 320 BFY Host Employers who have helped youth on their journeys towards a career in construction.
Whether your company has hosted one student or more, hosted for one year or more, we’re thankful you’ve given youth in Nova Scotia the chance to explore a career in the construction industry.
Our Champion Host Employers are those companies who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the BFY program – some have been Host Employers for 12 years, while others have taken more than 40 students over the years!
Looking for more information?
For BFY Engagement information and opportunities, please contact:
Tanya Reddick
BFY Engagement Lead
Tel: 902-456-6444
Email: treddick@cans.ns.ca
For BFY Program information, please contact:
Adam Gilbert
BFY Program Lead
Tel: 902-809-2297
Email: agilbert@cans.ns.ca