On Friday, Aug. 21, representatives from Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) and La Cité joined Algonquin College to celebrate the graduates of OCH’s Build Your Path (BYP) trades program, a construction training initiative designed to help OCH residents gain the skills and experience needed to pursue careers in the skilled trades.
More than two dozen guests gathered at the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE). The event marked an important milestone for graduates, who received BYP certificates and kudos in recognition of their hard work.
The Build Your Path program provides participants with eight weeks of in-class and hands-on construction training, industry-recognized certifications and employment-focused supports designed to help them pursue careers in the skilled trades. Through partnerships with organizations such as Algonquin College and La Cité, residents have access to training that supports meaningful pathways to employment in a growing sector.
“Algonquin College is very proud to be a delivery partner in the Build Your Path program,” said Katherine Root, Dean of the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence.
“This hands-on pre-employment training program directly supports residents of Ottawa Community Housing in building the skills, confidence and experience needed to get started in the construction industry. From the College’s perspective, what makes this program particularly impactful is the emphasis on applied learning. Participants are not just learning theory, they are gaining practical, real-world experience and industry-standard certifications.”
For more information about the event and the Build Your Path program, visit the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation’s story.