As construction companies in northern Ontario struggle to find qualified workers, the Building Maintenance and Construction (BMC) Program in Sault Ste. Marie is providing employers with a skilled workforce, ready to hit the ground running.
The BMC Program, run by the DSSMSSAB, is a-six-week skills training course aimed at Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients who are ready to enter or re-enter the workforce. Participants gain on-the-job experience while renovating a house, earning certifications like WHMIS, Working at Heights, and First Aid in the process.
By hiring graduates through this program, employers can address immediate labour shortages with workers who are already trained, certified, and equipped with hands-on experience.
“Trying to get people in the trades and having experience in the construction industry is kind of tough to come by,” Norm, Branch Manager at OCP Construction Supplies said.
“But my experience in hiring somebody from the program has been terrific.”
Not only does becoming a partner with DSSAB help to bolster the local construction and trades industry, but it also showcases your commitment to our community by building pathways to meaningful employment.
For builders looking to hire, this is an opportunity to invest in skilled individuals who are ready to contribute from day one.
“All the training’s there, it’s already done for you on the previous sites that they have worked on in the city,” Norm said. “The reference is the supervisor that you've talked to, the job site that you hired him on.”
“The program gives me reassurance that they have experience in the construction field,” he said. “They've been given that with the program and it makes me way more comfortable as a branch manager to hire that person. It's a win-win.”
It’s certainly been a win for program participants like Devan, who said that honing his skills on a project in the downtown core was a major turning point in his life.
“The work that I personally completed [on this house] would be the brick and mortar as well as removing the chimney, tearing out a lot of the walls and installing a new vapor barrier insulation and drywall,” Devan said.
“The floors upstairs were completed and restored back to the natural wood, which looks absolutely gorgeous.”
Not just a good project for the house’s future owner, being involved in the program has also provided Devan with some much-needed confidence to pursue a career in the trades.
“Employers won't have to get me caught up with different tickets, because I come with my own set of tools essentially,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for anybody looking to make a change in their career path or for anybody experiencing hardship.”
The BMC Program doesn’t just benefit employers – it’s also helping to transform neighbourhoods. Through the program, and in partnership with DSSAB’s Affordable Home Ownership Program (AHOP), homes in various states of disrepair are purchased by DSSAB, renovated by BMC program participants and skilled instructors, and sold to a family living in social housing that is ready to take the next step into home ownership.
Since 2020, four properties have been renovated and sold to families purchasing their first home. The ripple effect is visible to passers by – cleaner streets, improved property values, and a renewed sense of pride among residents.
Looking for information on recruiting from or participating in the BMC program? Follow this link to learn more.
This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.