September 25, 2006 Source: :
http://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease092806843.shtml BCIT carpentry students construct relief home for tsunami victims BURNABY, BC: Sixteen BCIT carpentry students recently completed the construction of a Britco Structures demonstration hybrid panelized and pre-cut home designed for Indonesian tsunami relief housing. All of the students are enrolled in the Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) program. Under the guidance of two BCIT carpentry instructors, Doug Betts and Bob Maikawa, students who had received a basic safety orientation and a few hours of classroom instruction were able to experience first-hand how quickly these almost 500-square-foot panelized homes can be assembled. The homes have four small rooms and a large covered deck, and take approximately eight days to assemble. Once complete, the house will be taken down by the students to make way for other projects. The Province of British Columbia, BCIT, Britco Structures and Save the Children are jointly supporting this groundbreaking project. The first phase of this project will see 300 homes sent to a region of Indonesia devastated by the December 2004 tsunami. Later phases of the project will result in up to 3,000 homes constructed in Indonesia. Through Forestry Innovation Investment, the BC government is contributing funds to help assemble the houses on site in Indonesia utilizing a training program developed by BCIT’s School of Construction and Environment. As part of the program, BCIT will be sending Mr. Betts and Mr. Maikawa to Indonesia to train local workers in the construction and assembly of the homes in villages throughout the affected region. This knowledge transfer component of the relief effort is a unique part of the partnership between BCIT, Britco Structures and Save the Children. BCIT’s skills training program is designed to provide lasting and long-term benefits for local workers that go well beyond traditional relief efforts. "BCIT prides itself on working closely with government and industry to meet the demand for highly skilled workers, both locally and internationally," says Wayne Stevens, director of BCIT’s Canadian Housing and Construction Centre. "We are very pleased to be working in co-operation with Forestry Innovation Investment, Britco and Save the Children to deliver training for this very special project." Langley-based Britco Structures specializes in the design and construction of commercial, institutional, industrial and residential modular buildings. "Britco is very proud to be part of this important reconstruction effort, we have designed and engineered a cost-effective, permanent and long-term solution that will have a real impact for dislocated families and children who were left homeless in the wake of the earthquakes and tsunami," says Mike Ridley, vice president of Britco Structures. "This is about rebuilding communities, rebuilding families and rebuilding a future for thousands of children in Indonesia." -30- For further information, media can call:
Allison Markin, Media Relations Manager
Tel. 604-432-8773
Cell 604-836-6700
allison_markin@bcit.ca To learn more about carpentry training, visit the School of Construction and the Environment, search for part-time courses, explore trades training, or call 604-434-1610 for program and course information.
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