Is Your Benefits Plan Taking Care of Your Needs?
The BCCA Employee Benefit Trust was established over 50 years ago with the mission to look after the health and wellbeing of employees in the construction industry. Today we are privileged to look after 500 construction businesses and 7,000 of their employees. And we continue to work towards our mission, particularly during these unprecedented times.
Our members saved an aggregate of $2.7 million during the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. How? Through our COVID-19 Crisis Relief Plan, we reduced rates to decrease the financial burden on our members, so they could continue providing benefits to their employees. We also provided a constant stream of mental health and financial health resources. As a not-for-profit organization, you and your team are our highest priority.
Will you give us the privilege of taking care of your team? Contact us today to tell us about your needs.
THE VICA BOARD
provides leadership and guidance on behalf of the VICA Membership
CHAIR
Roger Yager
Knappett Projects Inc.
VICE-CHAIR
James Clapp
Wilson M Beck Insurance
PAST CHAIR
David Flint
Flynn Canada Ltd.
TREASURER
Chris Lyons
Omicron Construction Ltd.
SECRETARY
Kate Ulmer
Herold Engineering Ltd.
DIRECTORS
Stuart Cuthbert
Mazzei Electric
Barclay Ellis
Trades Labour Corporation
Victoria
Paul Gray
Farmer Construction
David Lewis
Alpine Insulation
Mark Liudzius
Kinetic Construction Ltd.
Scott Torry
AFC Construction
Byron Tarby
Tarby Contracting
Chris Williams
Houle Electric
VICA’S VISION
Our vision is to be a leading advocate and the premier member-based association serving the construction sector on Vancouver Island.
VICA’S MISSION
Our mission is dedicated to promoting the interests of VICA Members as it provides its members with exceptional services and benefits.
CHAIR REPORT
ROGER YAGER
Knappett Projects Inc.
As I complete my second year as Chair of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA), I would like to share my reflection on the past twelve months. The year commenced with an optimistic outlook for the future with all signs indicating another banner year for the industry on Vancouver Island. The Association was in a good financial position and able to increase its member engagement and education offerings for our members. Little did we know how much our lives were going to change only a few short months into 2020.
In February, the world would become aware of a new and threatening virus, COVID-19, that would impact our daily lives. On March 18, the Province of British Columbia declared a State of Emergency signaling that our lives would be dramatically changed not only in the short term but for many months to come. Amongst all the fear, nervousness, and uncertainty that this presented, our industry was deemed an essential service and the battle was on!
The construction community came together as a united front, collaborating with one another, and finding ways to operate safely in a global pandemic. Although there were many heated discussions in the early days about what to do (stop work, stay home, wait it out, persevere) and how to do it, the local industry members and VICA continued to work in tandem to chart a path forward. Our industry is not known for giving up and are resilient in the face of challenges and adversity.
Although events and educational activities were cancelled and the personal touch of the VICA offices needed to be temporarily halted, Rory and his staff continued to maintain the operation and find ways to serve the members through virtual means.
Currently, we find ourselves in a “new normal” with much of the industry still actively working, albeit with significantly modified protocols in place. With low case counts on the Island and very few cases related to construction activities, we have a new enemy to face – COMPLACENCY. We are not out of the woods yet. We need to continue following established safety protocols so that we can work, be productive and remain a driving force for the economy of British Columbia.
I am very proud to be a member of this industry as we continue to take on the challenges that the future will bring. Our collective experience, diversity and flexibility will afford us success in the years to come.
As my term ends, I am pleased to recognize Rory and VICA Staff for their hard work in extraordinary times to ensure that the Association continues to be a value to its members. I also want to thank the current Board of Directors for their support and contributions this year. Under their guidance, VICA will continue to be successful and a key resource for the industry.
CEO REPORT
RORY KULMALA
Vancouver Island Construction Association
The Vancouver Island Construction Association welcomed the beginning of the 2019-2020 fiscal year with enthusiasm and optimism. We began our fiscal year with construction activity on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast at record levels, surpassing expectations with all signs indicating that this trend would continue. As such, we saw our engagement efforts grow our membership from 430 members to nearly 500 by May 31, 2020. This represented unprecedented growth for VICA.
We once again delivered initiatives designed to bring our membership together. During the summer of 2019, events like our Hardhats in the Ballpark and Summer Sizzlers promoted our industry as well as connected members. We continued with our Capital Plan Luncheons in various communities on Vancouver Island, ending the calendar year with our member Christmas luncheon.
Our education programming continues to be at the forefront our member’s needs, all while remaining relevant and accessible. As such, we have seen our programs expand and adapt to your needs. Now in its fourth year, the Construct Your Future program produced 47 graduates and placed them in jobs with our members.
VICA does not operate alone, particularly as we advocate on issues relevant to our industry. We continue to collaborate with other Construction Associations on matters such as Community Benefit Agreements and prompt payment, while also working with other industry associations and Chambers of Commerce to ensure that our construction voice is heard and considered.
The tides of optimism changed in March 2020 with the impact of COVID 19 devastating our economy. Fortunately, the construction sector has fared relatively well. Since being declared an essential service we have pivoted to ensure that construction continued. This was not done without its challenges. The construction sector proved its resiliency and determination to adapt new processes and procedures, ensuring work continued safely.
Like so many agencies and associations, the effect of COVID has impacted VICA. We cancelled all in-person events and classes, pivoting our education programs to an online platform. Additionally, we have adjusted our operating model to ensure that we remained financial healthy while still being able to offer our services.
I would like to commend our Board of Directors, committees, Women In Construction and U40 groups for their leadership, support and involvement with VICA. I look forward to working with them as we embrace a new era of doing business.
Finally, I must thank the exceptional team we have at VICA. Their dedication, commitment and professionalism have created the true value of VICA as we provide the necessary advocacy, education and member services to support your success.
The 2019/2020 fiscal year for the Vancouver Island Construction Association has proven to be strong, despite substantial challenges faced in the later part of 2020. The Association started in a strong financial position, and as the pandemic began to take hold, the Board and VICA Staff was quick to re-assess and adjust the budget accordingly. At year-end, we have come in better than budgeted and continue to maintain our financial strength.
The Construct Your Future program continues to supplement our revenue, particularly in these challenging times. The staff has worked to modify the program to address challenges with COVID and continue to push to keep this program running while exploring similar other options/initiatives. Once again, our CEO, Rory Kulmala and his staff must be given full credit for the ongoing success of the CYF program as well as improvements in the educational program. The Board of Directors has again noted their efforts over the past year and congratulate them on doing such a great job.
Our Auditors, KPMG, appointed in 2017, have been excellent to work with once again this year. KPMG presented their audit for the 2019/2020 fiscal year to the Board of Directors on September 24, 2020 and it was approved.
I would like to thank the Board of Directors, Finance and Risk Management Committee, VICA CEO and VICA Staff for their efforts over the past year to ensure that sound financial principles are followed. As a result of their efforts, VICA is in a solid financial position going into the 2020/2021 fiscal year.
VICA MEMBER SERVICES Statutory Declarations
9142 Stat Decs signed for VICA Members 47% VICA Members used service $30
Average fee for statutory declaration notarization, plus time to visit notary $274,260
Total savings for VICA Members * numbers are approximate
VICA Members enjoy complimentary Statutory Declaration services
CHRIS LYONS
Omicron Construction Ltd.
VICA OFFICES
Victoria 1075 Alston Street
Nanaimo 5-1850 Northfield Road
250.388.6471 www.vicabc.ca
VICA TEAM
Rory Kulmala Chief Executive Officer
Dawn Charity Manager, Member Services
Amie Kilgour Manager, Operations
Chenelle Falconer Manager, Training & Education
Sarah Bartfai Manager, Events & Administration
Serena Huppe Services Assistant
Kendra Renaerts Project Services Coordinator
Owen O’Rourke Communications Specialist
CONSTRUCT YOUR FUTURE
Sharlot Beatty Program Coordinator
Bill O’Brien Work Experience Coordinator
Rubia Martins Administrative Assistant
We are a community of skilled professionals from owners, general contractors, and trade contractors to manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers of construction services.
In our 2019/2020 fiscal year, we saw membership grow from 430 to 490 members, with consistent growth through the first three quarters. While we did experience a major industry disruption in the form of COVID-19, those numbers weren’t realized until after our 2019/20 fiscal year.
VICA MEMBER DISTRIBUTION
208 70 44 23 5
* 5% are identified as Off Island but majority have Head Offices in the South Island
PROJECT SERVICES
In 2019/2020 BidCentral upgraded to a new online platform, aimed at improving user integration functionality and more user friendly. In 2019/20 there was an average of 67 projects posted in the planroom each month, down slightly from 78 in 2018/2019.
As of June 2020, there were 262 Premium Users* in BidCentral, up from 253 Premium Users the year prior.
* Premium gives BidCentral access to four individuals within one company
VICA IN THE PUBLIC EYE
Throughout the beginning stages of the pandemic VICA was considered the voice of the construction industry, evident by the number of interview requests from the local media, including both live, television and radio interviews. In the 2019/2020 fiscal year, VICA earned:
50
6,045 3783 71, 033
News media mention across the Island
Total followers across all social media channels
Number of engagements on Facebook posts
Impressions via Facebook & LinkedIn posts
CONSTRUCT YOUR FUTURE
VICA’s Construct Your Future Program prepares young adults for an entry level job in the construction industry. Participants visit VICA Member jobsites and learn about career paths, roles, responsibilities, and safety requirements.
The CYF program shifted to a mix-delivery method in response to COVID-19, incorporating on-site training and virtual classroom learning.
100+ hours donated by members: jobsite visits, guest speakers, speed interviews
47 Participants Employed
30 were hired by (19) VICA Members
TRAINING FUND
The VICA Training Fund was re-designed during the 2019/20 fiscal year, along side our charity foundation, Construction Foundation of BC. We now award four (4) bursaries, worth up to $1000, annually to Vancouver Island students in apprenticeship and community college construction foundation programs. We now have:
2 Spring Awards
• 2 Fall Awards
VICA TRAINING & EDUCATION
The Vancouver Island Construction Association is proud to provide industry-specific training for the local construction sector. The comprehensive year-round program is comprised of courses, workshop, and seminars on topics ranging from leadership, finance, and business skills to blueprint reading, estimating, and practical planning for forepeople and site superintendents. In response to pandemic restrictions, the majority of our classes are now being offered in a virtual format.
CLASSROOM COURSES
Courses & Workshops delivered Victoria Nanaimo
25%
Participants: VICA & BCCSA
VICA registered participants
VICA Member participants
GOLD SEAL CREDITS
In-class courses GSC eligible
COURSE EVALUATIONS
58% have 10+ years of experience
48% referred by employer or co-worker
96% of students agreed with the statement: “I trust VICA to provide relevant training.”
41% of students request training in Time Management and Productivity
ONLINE COURSES
960 Online Courses Sold
Most Popular Online Courses:
• Introduction to Estimating • Construction Project Management
TITLES/ROLES
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
VICA engaged 2,220+ members and prospective members through VICA special events and regular network events in the 2019/2020 fiscal year.
VICA WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
WiC Nanaimo hosted four events, including a site tour of the Colvile Medical Centre. At their Sip, Savour & Support event they raised $2,020 for the NUKO Learning Center.
WiC Victoria hosted seven events, including site tours of Point Hope Marine Shipyard and KWENCH, Winter and Summer Socials, and their annual Powerhouse Panel.
VICA UNDER 40
U40 Victoria hosted 10 events, including two speaker events, a Builders on the Barge fundraiser for ABIN, a Halloween Pub Crawl, a speaker event co-hosted with WiC Victoria, and a Charity Casino that raised $30,000 for Help Fill A Dream Foundation.
U40 Central Island hosted four events, including a round table leadership discussion, a Grand Prix Go Cart event, Chip & Chat, a curling event, and Mentorship Breakfasts with Mike Crucil from FMI.
VICA was able to host their annual Hardhats in the Ballpark, Christmas Luncheon, as well as four Capital Project Plan Series (CPPS) events prior to the pandemic shutdown. Of those 13 events we were able to engage 1,151 members and raise over $25,000 for various charities across Vancouver Island.
Through our CPPS events we had the pleasure of hosting speakers from the BC Ministry of Transportation, University of Victoria, Comox Valley Regional District, BC Transit, the District of Saanich and the City of Nanaimo.
$13,000 $7,300
VICA’s Christmas Luncheon raised $13,000 for families in Victoria and Nanaimo, distributed in the form of grocery gift cards via elementary school principals throughout the school year thanks to the generosity of VICA Members.
VICA Members donated $7,300 worth of toys and cash to the Holiday Toy Drive, supporting local families in Victoria, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Courtenay.
We specialize in all areas of hearing health including:
• Industrial Hearing Testing
• Occupational Noise Surveys
• Hearing Safety Talk s We also provide Quantitative & Qualitative respirator fit testing.
