How do you educate members about a variety of topics when you can’t meet face to face?
How do you test the waters for a future buying trade show without suppliers and retailers meeting in person to set up those handshake deals?
Without knowing when social distance restrictions will be lifted to host live and in-person trade shows and to protect the health of our members and guests, a virtual online event with the look and feel of a online trade show soon became the answer. The Building Supply Industry Association of BC and the
BC Floor Covering Association announce the BSIA / BCFCA Look & Learn 2020 Online Event on September 16th and 17th, 2020 where you’ll find:

1. Selected suppliers presenting their newest product launches / efficiencies to retailers

2. All suppliers and retailers, builders and designers as well as their teams can be trained in
industry based continuing professional development (CPD) credits, such as BC Step Codes
and continuing education units (CEU) such as Sustainable Flooring

3. All suppliers and retailers can grow their businesses with business development topics like
Succession Planning, Upcoming Trends Panel with industry experts in Landscaping, Flooring,
Home Renovation, Painting and Roofing as well as prominent home builder Keynote Speaker
and Live Q&A’s and peer to peer discussion groups and social networking.

The incentives to participate are high with lunch gift certificates sponsored for attendees and
discounts offered for products purchased later that month and prize draws for attending multiple courses.
​There is something for everyone to learn and walk away with!

Contact info@bsiabc.ca for Sponsorship Opportunities

Would you like to hire a skilled worker for your building supply or manufacturing business?
Over the past several years the Building Supply Industry Association of BC, along with our training partner, NorthWest Skills Institute have been training workers with in demand skills and now we have proven it can be accomplished online. Participants are now completing their training in Manufacturing Production Worker (MPW) and Building Supply Warehouse and Distribution (BSWD).  This project was funded by the Community Workforce Response Grant with funding by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement.
Each student’s story is inspiring. David was recently laid off from his work in printing production due to Covid-19.  He said; "For this training program, it was a really good experience for me to learn a new skill beside my own professional background. I really enjoyed it because I was able to stay home and work at my own pace during Covid 19.”
The training started April 20th for the MPW and BSWD training programs with 2 check-in’s per week with the instructor to keep students motivated and supported as they moved through the training modules.  Guest speakers were also invited to speak to the groups about exciting opportunities within the Manufacturing and Building Supply sector. 
Lynne, the instructor for these unique programs commented; “Mentoring students online for the first time has been a unique learning experience for myself.  It is really encouraging that even in these challenging times, we have been able to adapt and rethink the way we teach and learn while continuing to encourage students to grow and succeed.  The students have been tremendous as they have worked through the online training content and each brings a unique skillset to a potential employer including those with engineering and design skills, sales and marketing, admin and human resources, shipping and logistics, as well as trades and technicians.” 
With such a broad variety of skills, we are certain that these graduates will be hired soon. Curious? To set up interviews contact Cormac O’Reilly at NorthWest Skills Institute 604-900-1980 x 122 or on his mobile phone at 604-340-3964 or email: cormac@nwskills.org