Training and Equity Initiatives on the British Columbia Vancouver Island Highway Project: A Model For Large-Scale Construction Projects

The equity initiatives in training and hiring on this large project were unique and stunningly successful. At peak production periods the equity hires constituted more than 20 percent of the workforce, a figure that is ten times higher than normal. This project was the first time a significant effort had been made to integrate women and First Nations in a commercial highway project. It was accomplished through two risk- taking and innovative measures. One was a priority for equity hires in the collective agreement and the other was the establishment of a training site where women and First Nations (mostly male) built a section of the highway as part of the training process. This article examines these fea tures and the experiences of the workers, contractors, and trade unions with the equity initiatives. It pays particular attention to the construction industry workplace culture and how this affects training for equity groups.