b'YCL COMMITTEEIm happy to promote more events likeof the construction industry to comeHe says he believes that more young that, that are more of a learning eventtogether with like-minded individuals topeople should be exposed to the than a networking event, he says. promote the industry and meet otheropportunities that the construction people, Whitely says. What Ive beenindustry offers. Youre doing rewarding Another event hed like to return to is thetrying to do over the last couple ofwork, you come out of school making MLSE Team Up Challenge or an equivalent.years is more community involvement:money immediately, and the best thing It challenges corporate teams to competereaching out to colleges and universitiesabout construction is you get to see the in a variety of sporting activities to raiseto do more grassroots promotion of thereward of your work; you get to see the money for the MLSE Foundation, but wasconstruction industry. Young peoplebuilding going up.disrupted by COVID-19. often dont want to listen to the senior VPs of the construction industry; theyThe YCL Committee has recently Our mandate has always been to providewant to hear from younger people whowelcomed several new additions, a networking opportunity and learningmay have graduated within the last bringing fresh energy to a group that opportunity for the younger members10 years. was already dynamic. Whitely estimates that most members are between the ages of 25 and 35: established in their career, but still able to relate to the younger generation that is just starting. The group is reflective of the younger generations cultural diversity and, by chance, six of its 13 membersare female.He says he really learned the value of this type of organization in 2014; when he relocated to Vancouver with EllisDon, he soon felt the lack of the kind of network of colleagues hed built up in the Toronto area. However, joining an equivalent group, the Vancouver Regional Construction Associations U40 committee, he was very quickly able to establish a new local network of people in the industry.After family plans brought him back to Toronto, he says, I wanted to continue to be part of that committee. I thought if it provided value to me, it would provide value to other people.As Chair, he hopes to deepen the Committees focus. Now, the events are great, but I really want to take it that step further in community engagement, he says. His aims are twofold: driving interest in the construction industry as well as giving back to the community, Canadas Leading Supplier of Custom-Madewhether it be through charitable Window Coverings Since 1947.donations or giving through an organization such as Habitatfor Humanity.Dedicated Project Managers Knowledgeable Support StaffMeanwhile, he is delighted to welcome Trained, Experienced Installers Manufacturing Plant Located in GTA the new members of the Committee and encourages all others in the industry who are 40 and under to consider Toll Free: 1-800-663-9587 becoming part of it. New members may Email: info@west-port.com join throughout the year; applications can be made through the TCA website Website: www.west-port.com at any time, and Whitely invites anyone interested to apply.28Quarter 42023 BUILDERSDIGEST'