Marine construction company boosts trades training at Rupert school

In an effort to tackle the province-wide shortage of skilled tradespeople and support hands-on learning in high schools, PPM Civil Constructors has launched its Adopt-a-School program in partnership with Charles Hays Secondary.

The initiative, supported by the union Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC) and Trigon Pacific Terminals, is designed to provide students with the tools, mentorship, and work experience necessary to pursue trade careers.

Through the program, PPM will supply essential shop tools and materials, connect students with experienced tradespeople, and offer opportunities for real-world work experience on active construction sites. This is a key graduation requirement in B.C.

“As a former trades/technology teacher, I know how little available budget schools have to fund programs that require materials and supplies,” said Lindsay Langill, the director of People and Strategy for PPM Civil Constructors.

“This inadequacy in funding results in fewer students taking the shop programs, programs that provide students with essential life skills and lead to the creation of future skilled tradespeople.”   

Langill did her doctoral research on the educational value of K-12 trades and technology programs.

“Rigorous, relevant, and relational trades and technology programs provide students learning opportunities while also improving high school graduation rates,” he said.

Langill noted shop and technical education programs have sharply declined across British Columbia over the past few decades, often falling victim to budget cuts. The Adopt-a-School program aims to reverse that trend, starting with Charles Hays Secondary.

Kurt Kashuba, regional manager for the carpenter’s union in B.C., is supporting the initiative by recruiting union members to mentor students. Members participate in school events, speak at career fairs, and assist in classroom instruction.

PPM is in its second year and nearing completion of Trigon’s Berth Two Beyond Carbon project, which Trigon says will nearly double the terminal’s capacity.

“Support around trades has never been more necessary, providing individuals with skills that give the community stronger resilience,” said Craig Olley, president of Trigon.

Langill encourages contractors across B.C. to invest in trades training and give back to their communities by “adopting a school.”