b'APPRENTICESHIPbetter time to take on an apprentice to help grow your business, develop talent and build a highly qualified workforce.Thoseintheconstructionsector know full well that a lot of business is generated through word of mouth and returningcustomers.Becauseofthis, businessesareinabetterpositionto succeed with a home-grown team that has honed their craft over time. Helping workers gain apprenticeship training is a strategic move that makes your business Nicolina Shaw, Roofer Apprentice. more attractive to both customers and potential employees.Researchshowsthatinvestingin apprenticesisacost-effectivewayto createamotivatedworkforceanda productiveenvironment.Employees are your greatest asset and will always have a direct impact on the success of your company. Apprenticeship training allowsyoutoeducatehighlyskilled staff with skills that are tailored to your needs while increasing your bottom line. Companies that invest in an apprentice reportanincreaseinemployeereten-tion and improvement in the quality of services being performed.RCABChasbeeninvestingin apprenticeship training for decades and hastrainedeveryrooferapprenticein B.C. since opening the RCABC Training Centremorethan25yearsago.Asa SkilledTradesBCDesignatedTraining Provider,theRCABCEducational Foundationdeliverstechnicaltraining to roofing apprentices from across the province.RCABCmembersunder-standthevalueofinvestingintheir workers and are recognized as preferred employersandcontractorsbecauseof theircommitmenttoofferingappren-ticeshipopportunitiesandbuildinga well-trained workforce.THE PATH FORWARDThechallengesfacingthesectorare significant, but so are the opportunities. History has shown that the construction industry and economic growth go hand in hand. By removing obstacles that are preventingnewpeoplefromentering the roofing industry and enhancing the skills and experience of workers, we can shapethefutureoftheindustryand build a more resilient workforce.22 lROOFINGBClSPRING 2023'