BUILD Inc to End Training Programs in Manitoba – A Letter to Ministers
December 21, 2022
Over the last four years, Manitoba Building Trades has been working with BUILD Inc, a social enterprise that provides crucial training opportunities for individuals with a history in the criminal justice systems, and those who face multiple barriers to employment in the construction industry. Earlier today, we learned that BUILD Inc will be ended all training programs as of December 27, 2022, after their funding was cut by the Progressive Conservative government.
This is a non-sensical decision, as BUILD was responsible for reducing recidivism rates and provided a pathway out of poverty and the criminal justice system. Furthermore, BUILD Inc was a means of introducing these workers to the skilled construction sector through training and work readiness programs. As Manitoba faces both a skilled trades shortage and an under representation of Indigenous workers in the sector, it was clear that BUILD had a role to play in addressing these industry challenges.
We are outraged by this callous decision, where the provincial government refused to confirm funding for BUILD Inc over a period of two years. We have written to Minister Squires and Minister Goertzen to ask them to immediately reverse this decision, which you can read here.
In Solidarity,
Tanya Palson
Executive Director, Manitoba Building Trades