WATCH ABOVE: There is a shortage of building operators in Calgary, and as David Boushy reports, a unique program is hoping to fill the gap.
CALGARY –A unique program operated by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is helping provide skilled workers for jobs that desperately need to be filled, despite the economic downturn: building operators.
Ayo Salaudeen left Nigeria with his wife eight months ago. As a mechanical engineer, he hoped he’d qualify for the CCIS training program that fast tracks fifth-class power engineers. He was accepted into the 18-week program and graduated in July.
“Honestly, it’s the best decision I ever made in my life. Before that, I was struggling to feed myself and my family,” said Salaudeen, who is married with a two-week-old daughter.
Property owners and managers in Alberta are having trouble finding qualified building operators, so it’s a win-win situation.
“The goal of the program is to combine the industry need for shortages in labour and skilled labour with new Canadians who have those transferable skills and can come in and do those jobs,” said CCIS’s Michele Veldhoen.
Jesse Buhler of Artis REIT said the skill level of people who had been trying to enter the industry was “just not there.”
“We need the people in the industry – we desperately need them, and they are filling a definite need,” said Buhler.
Salaudeen now works as a building operator at Heritage Square, a five-story building with dozens of tenants requiring heat, electricity and water. It’s Salaudeen’s job to keep them satisfied and systems running smoothly, which requires daily checks and ongoing maintenance.
“Our customers have to be satisfied,” he said. “All this mechanical equipment – what determines the life span is how much you can maintain them.
“It’s awesome…I would never trade it for anything else in the world.”
Salaudeen was one of nearly 400 applicants for the program; only 20 were accepted. Every graduate found a job after completing the program and some received multiple offers.
The program will run again next March. For more information and other programs offered, visit the CCIS site here.
With files from Erika Tucker
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