Building More Than Buildings

Mar 24, 2025

Curt Janzen

If you want to build a stronger city, start by building stronger connections. That’s exactly what the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) is doing, laying the groundwork for the next generation of trades professionals by stepping out of the jobsite and into the classroom.

This past week, in collaboration with Honour The Work (HTW) and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), the CCA brought skilled trades to life for students across Calgary. And we’re not talking about dusty PowerPoints or career-day clichés, we’re talking real people, real tools, real conversations.

"laying the groundwork for the next generation of trades professionals"

Elementary Kids Were Schooled in Construction

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At Griffith Woods School, students in Grades 1–6 got a front-row seat to the real world of firestopping and life safety, thanks to Katrina VanPreuss, a Firestop Supervisor from Beyond Group. She shared her story, broke down what it means to lead in the field, and gave students a glimpse into the technical, precise, and high-stakes world of modern construction.

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The Next Generation is Full of Potential

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You can tell a program hits home when the students don’t want it to end—and start asking the kind of questions you wish adults would ask:

🛠️ “What does fire-rated mean?”
🛠️ “Can we put a glue stick in the foam gun?”
🛠️ “Do girls do roofing?”
🛠️ “Do you have a jet pack when you work up high?”

This is curiosity. This is imagination colliding with information. And this is what happens when students are shown that the trades aren’t just a fallback—they’re a future.

A Toast to the Teachers and Industry Professionals

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This kind of impact doesn’t happen on its own. It takes committed educators, thoughtful curriculum designers, and industry professionals willing to step out of their routines and into the classroom.

A huge thank you goes to Vanessa Munroe (CBE), Angela Coldwell (Honour The Work), and the teachers who opened their doors and minds to something different. Their dedication to connecting education with real-world careers is helping reshape how students see their future—and the role the skilled trades can play in it.

When industry and education align like this, it’s not just a program—it’s a pipeline to possibility.

“We can’t expect students to dream about careers they’ve never seen.”
– Angela Coldwell, Founder of Honour The Work

And the opportunity is real: according to BuildForce Canada, over 299,000 construction workers are expected to retire by 2033. That’s nearly 20% of the workforce—and every one of those roles is an invitation for the next generation to step in.

“We can’t expect students to dream about careers they’ve never seen.”‍

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The Future of Construction

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We talk a lot in this industry about the labour shortage, the aging workforce, and the challenges ahead. But what we saw this week? That’s the solution in action.

The trades have stories worth telling. And the next generation is ready to hear them—if we’ll just show up.

So here’s to the CCA, to all the companies and crew members saying yes to the classroom, and to a future where the builders of tomorrow are already asking, “Where do I sign up?”

Because the future of construction doesn’t just look good—it looks curious, capable, and ready to build.

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