Pitt Meadows Plumbing successfully hosted their Future of Work event on April 22nd at their Shop XL location in Maple Ridge. The event was a collaboration with many sponsorship partners, including Viega, J&S Sales, Victaulic, Olympic International, T-Drill, Hy-Line Sales, Milwaukee Tool, NovARC Technologies, Building Point Canada, Xylem, Stratus, Miller Welding, and Unified Alloys. Representatives from post-secondary institutions such as BCIT, Pacific Vocational College, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University were also present, along with the ICBA, Skilled Trades BC, and the Mechanical Contractors Association of BC.
The event had two sessions, with the morning session aimed at introducing the next generation to the many opportunities available in the construction industry. The keynote speaker, Amy Marks, VP of Enterprise Transformation Practice from Autodesk, delivered a speech on what the next 25 years look like in construction. Attendees had the opportunity to fabricate a take-home project using Viega pro-press and a stainless steel sign, and they could access the full model of the project by scanning a QR code.
The morning session also included a panel of four Pitt Meadows Plumbing employees with various roles, including a Red Seal Welder, Red Seal Plumbing, Project Manager, and a BIM Designer. The goal was to inspire the next generation to consider the vast opportunities available in construction. One parent who attended spoke following the panel, expressing that she was inspired to consider changing careers.
The afternoon session was geared towards others in the local construction industry as an opportunity to network and collaborate. Ms. Marks also provided an additional keynote regarding the future of Industrialized Construction, convergence, and technology. Both sessions included free lunch vouchers for all attendees.
The event received positive feedback from attendees and partners, with Carroll Stokes from T-Drill stating, "This incredible event has now set the new standard for how it’s done!" Chris Gardner, President ICBA, expressed pride in being part of the event and believed that parents and their children came away feeling inspired and excited about the endless career and job opportunities in the trades. Matt Bewsey from Houle (one of our valued trade partners) thanked Pitt Meadows Plumbing for their commitment to innovation and excellence in the construction industry, stating that their dedication to pushing the envelope and staying ahead of the curve was truly inspiring.
Overall, our team and partners successfully hosted a fantastic event that inspired attendees to consider the construction industry and provided an excellent opportunity for networking and collaboration among those in the local construction industry.
Journal of Commerce Article: Future of Work Event Aims to Bring Youth Into Construction Through Technology
Morning Keynote Speech by Amy Marks: Future of Work AM Keynote
Morning Panel Discussion: Future of Work Panel Discussion
Afternoon Keynote Speech by Amy Marks: Future of Work Afternoon Keynote