Construction Foundation

10/28/2026

Sometimes, knowing that someone believes in you is all you need to keep trying. 💪

To all the tradespeople working towards their Red Seal certification, we’re rooting for you every step of the way!

10/27/2026

Working in a new country can mean adjusting to different ways of communicating, approaching your role, and building professional relationships.

Join us for our virtual event to build your understanding of Canadian workplace culture.

We’ll share practical tips and real-life examples to help you feel more confident at work. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other newcomers and exchange experiences.

Secure your spot today! ⤵︎

https://loom.ly/aHy_0fo

10/23/2026

We’re honoured that Rogers TV visited us on-site to cover the work we’re doing at The FORGE.

Our Recovery Coaching Manager, Chris Cook, spoke about the challenges tradespeople face when reaching out for help and the importance of making support more accessible.

“Within the trades, there's been a tough-it-out culture for a long time now. So, ‘put your chest out, take it on the chin, don't talk about it.’ And there's been consequences for that. When people are in the middle of something, they're not necessarily the first to raise their hand and ask for help.”

At The FORGE, we're working towards creating our dedicated recovery and wellness hub where tradespeople can access free support and connect with people who truly understand. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we're so much closer to bringing this vision to life.

“They can put that mask down and kind of be willing and vulnerable to reach out for help, and we're going to be here to support them in that.”

Thank you to Rogers TV for helping shine a light on the importance of mental health and addiction support in the trades.

Watch the full video to learn more about The FORGE and the work ahead. ⤵︎

https://loom.ly/j6piVt4

The Forge Peer Recovery Program

10/20/2026

Preparing for your Red Seal exam doesn't have to feel so intimidating.

Our Coast Capital Road to Red Seal team is here to help apprentices learn at their own pace, work through challenges and feel more confident heading into exam day. This is the team that's truly in your corner.

Congratulations to this participant on earning their Red Seal certification!

10/16/2026

It’s FORGE Friday! We’re back with another resource offering practical solutions and support for mental health and well-being in the trades.

Welcome to Help Starts Here, managed by the BC Ministry of Health. Everyone’s story is unique, whether you’re navigating your own mental health journey or supporting someone facing mental health or substance use challenges.

The website brings together a range of resources, including free and low-cost counselling and support services, real stories of recovery, and reliable information on mental health and well-being.

There’s also a dedicated space for people working in the trades, featuring resources hand-picked for the challenges and realities of the industry.

You might find the information you need here yourself or someone you know.

Explore this resource ⤵︎
https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

10/15/2026

Last week, we joined VRCA’s Bring Trades to Schools Trade Fair in Vancouver, delivering hands-on workshops to 120 students!

The fair brought together more than 400 young people to explore careers in construction through interactive activities and conversations with industry folks. It was a fantastic opportunity to introduce students to the range of pathways available and help them discover where a future in the trades could take them.

Thank you to to VRCA Vancouver Regional Construction Association for organising the event and having us along, and to The Home Depot for providing the space for these valuable learning experiences!

10/14/2026

Congratulations to another Coast Capital Road to Red Seal participant on passing their exam and becoming officially certified!

We know how much it takes to get here, which makes it all the more rewarding to see someone’s hard work pay off. It’s a privilege to be part of that journey.

10/09/2026

Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone, and it isn’t always easy to recognize when something feels off. It can affect many aspects of our lives, including:

How we think (focus and decision-making)
What we think about (self-doubt or negative thoughts)
Body and behaviour (energy, sleep, and interest in activities we enjoy)

We’re sharing a resource we think is incredibly helpful: the HeadsUpGuys Depression Check.

HeadsUpGuys break down some of the most common symptoms of depression and how they can show up in your everyday life. The tool can help you get a better sense of where you’re at and recognize when it might be time to reach out for further support.

It’s easy to put our health on the backburner when there’s work to do and responsibilities to take care of. But you don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to make your well-being a priority.

Take a moment to check in with yourself: https://loom.ly/gINJ5g8

Our depression screening tool or "Depression Check" can help assess common symptoms of depression and provide resources based on your score.

10/07/2026

Earning a Red Seal certification takes dedication, persistence, and a whole lot of hard work.

For Alex, that journey was inspired in part by his dad, a multi-ticket tradesperson. Growing up watching his dad build a career he was proud of, Alex saw firsthand where hard work could lead and began to imagine that same kind of future for himself.

The path to becoming a Red Seal Electrician came with its share of challenges. When Alex realized he could use some support along the way, he reached out through the Coast Capital Road to Red Seal program. With that support, he was able to deepen his understanding of his trade and recognize his potential.

Earning his Red Seal certification marked a significant new chapter for Alex, giving him a renewed sense of confidence and opening his eyes to what else he could achieve.

Congratulations on this achievement, Alex!

We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to seeing what comes next. ⚡

10/02/2026

We wanted to share a heartfelt message from our Chair, Clark Campbell, from our FORGED IN HOPE ceremony.

After nearly 40 years in the construction industry, Clark knows the people and challenges behind the work. His words were a powerful reminder of why FORGE exists, and why creating a place where tradespeople feel connected by community matters.

We’re grateful to have Clark’s leadership and perspective behind this work.