The latest Industry Training Authority stats are out and ICBA remains the single-largest sponsor of trades apprentices in the province of British Columbia! In fact, we have almost 50% more than the next largest sponsor!
Thanks to all our ICBA apprentices, members, and our incredible training team for their hard work.
(And this is just a fraction of the apprentices sponsored by open shop construction companies — 82% of all apprentices are sponsored by the open shop, including ICBA!)
Learn more at https://icba.ca/apprenticeship/
Follow ICBA on Facebook
Merry Christmas!A huge gift is coming for trades apprentices in 2025 – the launch of the ICBA Foundation!This is a new charity dedicated to helping trades apprentices get their Red Seals and supporting mental wellness in construction. It will build on our half-century of work with the trades, and our position as B.C.’s single largest sponsor of apprentices.The ICBA Foundation, a separate entity from ICBA and ICBA Benefits, is the embodiment of our values of training excellence, supporting mental health, and developing the next generation of tradespeople.The ICBA Foundation is all about Building Stronger Futures.Learn more about the Foundation—and how you can make a difference in construction at www.icbafoundation.ca.
... See MoreSee Less
Santa's elves have nothing on the ICBA's team beloved Christmas Craft Corner tradition -- 8 years and counting!
... See MoreSee Less
When it comes to getting our ICBA office ready for Christmas, our team goes all-out!
... See MoreSee Less
📉 Canada's Economic Outlook for 2025-26 📈Jock Finlayson, ICBA's Chief Economist, projects a modest real GDP growth of 1.2% for Canada in 2024, down from 1.5% in 2023. 2025 looks to return to 1.5% -- unless President Trump makes good on his tariff threats.With the Bank of Canada lowering its policy interest rate from 5.0% to 3.25% by December 2024, there's a glimmer of hope for economic stabilization.Stay informed with Jock's in-depth, 2025-26 Economic Forecast, including analysis on Canada, B.C., and Alberta. Spoiler alert: we're not in great shape, and a US tariff war would crush us.
... See MoreSee Less
ICBA ECONOMICS: 2025-26 Forecast
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist As a new year beckons, Canadian policymakers and business leaders find themselves staring at an unsettled economic landscape that renders the task of forecastin...
‼️ BC’s Economy in 2025: Big Challenges Ahead!ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson breaks down the economic hurdles B.C. is set to face in the coming year in his latest op-ed on Business in Vancouver.📉 What’s at stake?- Potential trade disruptions with the U.S., affecting $40+ billion in exports.- Reduced immigration targets slowing population and labor force growth.👉 Read Jock’s full analysis at the link below.At ICBA, we’re committed to supporting construction companies and helping them prepare for what’s next. Help us shape the conversation by joining us - details at icba.ca.#Economy #BCBusiness #Trade #Immigration #ICBA
... See MoreSee Less
ICBA OP/ED: B.C.’s government will face extraordinary economic challenges in 2025
The following piece by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson first appeared in Business in Vancouver on Dec. 19, 2024. As the clock ticks down on a turbulent 2024, Premier David Eby and his recently ins...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #181: Our Final EditionFor more than three-and-a-half years, I’ve been writing Wellness Wednesdays for ICBA’s social channels – sharing tips, takes, and tales from our work in mental health. But this will be our final regular edition.While Wellness Wednesday is wrapping up, our work in mental health certainly is not. ICBA Wellness continues to serve more than 100 companies with resources, toolbox talks, webinars and more – all free for our member companies. Our Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch will continue to travel B.C. and Alberta talking with groups about stigma and sharing his profound story. And in 2025, our new ICBA Foundation will take our mental health work even further – stay tuned for details on that.Thanks for reading Wellness Wednesday, and we will still post relevant mental health and ICBA Wellness news in our feeds as stories and opportunities pop up.Be well, everyone!------Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program has helped more than 100 companies and 15,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
... See MoreSee Less
Tweet ICBA!
🇨🇦 Canada's economy is struggling, and we're nervous.
We see housing starts staying close to recent levels (but not growing) and business investment remaining sluggish.
Read Jock Finlayson's 2025-26 forecast for more insights on Canada, BC & Alberta.
https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/12/19/icba-economics-2025-26-forecast/
Dave Eby and his freespending, anti-growth ways have put B.C. in an economic pickle. We're not ready for the storms ahead.
Jock Finlayson of @icbabc lays out the challenges in @BIVnews.