> While © technology and social : “needs have changed dramatical- “ The size of that challenge is ~-jmmense, The percentage of - women working in the construc- - .» tion trades is only 1.7 percent — one of the lowest participation ~~ rates in any industry in Canada. There won’t be any improve- _ ment overnight: B.C. construc- ‘tion apprenticeship figures show _ + that only 66 of 3,103 apprenti¢es registered in December, 1988, were women — a little over two ‘percent. ‘While more women have ¢ en- ‘tered the labor force in the last _ few years, says Stead, 58 percent ~- have accepted traditional jobs clerical, services and sales —- "at much lower wages than other types of work. And there is no - indication that this trend is go- ing. to change. Stead’s figures show that by the year 2000 the _. ‘white male will make up only 20 percent of the workforce while ~ women and minorities will rep- i fésent the other 80 percent. But athe majority. will still be em- _- ployed in ‘‘traditional’? jobs. .“There’s a lot of room for ' simprovement,” she says. ‘We - must increase the number of .: Women in the construction in- dustry.” ‘She: told the group that ~~ change. ‘tmust begin now. In or- ‘det to remain exempt from com- -pliance tegulations, the effec. . » tiveness of the Employment ough there are more women in. ‘Equity Program must be dem- onstrated within the next two years. ‘‘Canada ‘ Employment and Immigration has been keep- ing watch onthe program to see | its effect,’’ she explains, ‘‘and in « 90/91 they’re going to be revis- ing the legislation.”’ gies now. She says there has not been a lot of recruitment or encouragement in the past, but through using tools like CCA’s employment equity guide, ‘‘To- morrow’s Builders’’, or video, “The Tomorrow Builders’, that can change — the thinking of both employers and prospective employees can change. Another target area, says Stead, are students — young people who are in the process of having their education tailored to a traditional workplace. “Our youth are often pro- grammed for. the past,” she’ says. “‘But the construction in- dustry needs skilled workers, and we’re seeking women who can accept the challenge and work as part of a team.”’ Stead says the association has presented their message to: ap- prenticeship offices, schools and ‘Career fairs, and the results are encouraging. People are listen- ing, and ‘they're _ listening to Stead says this is why Canadi- — an construction companies, large and small, must begin to © change their employment strate- JOANNE STEAD: Only two percent of the construction ‘labor force is women... but in - 10 years we'll be begging for them. - women who have found jobs in the industry, too. Women who speak of the challenge and varie- _ty of work. Women who say you | can have a career and bea mother and homemaker as well. There are- some employers who will never change, says Stead, but the future for these employers may be very short because in a few years, while others are working with a pool of skilled labor, they will be trying to tap the elite from the past — the white male who will make up only a fifth of the workforce. And this may be a message that all industries should heed. thing. In the past, houses were often drafty, smoky, damp and poorly | Energy Efficient Features. Benchwork Journeymen . Millwrights Carpenters Painting Plumbing Sheet Metal Work Steam/Pipe Fitting Boiler Making Electrical Technician: Electrical Work Sprinkler Fitting Welder. TOTALS FEMALE APPRENTICES IN B.C. - DEC./88 Men Women Percent 226 9 3.80 400 1. .. 0.24 1,145 20 1.70 105 45 4.50 496 2 0.40 246 a | 0.40. 166 - 4 0.59 109 2 1.80 44 4 8.30 * 97. 18 1.57 78 1 1.26 92 . 2 2.12 3,103 66 2.17 Contract awarded for arena.cooling revamp Terrace city council has awarded the contract for up- grading the arena refrigeration system to D&C Refrigeration Ltd. for $38,930. According to: Superintendent of _ Parks: and Recreation, D&C Refrigeration was the low bidder, followed by Western Recreation Ltd. at $41,613 and A-T Refrigeration Servicé Group Ltd. at $49,760. Another tender, from the Canadian Ice Machine Co., was declared invalid because it was received after the specified clos- ing time, says Scott. Scott says the the arena up- grade will consist of three separ- ate components — brine header replacement and the installation of a dehumidifier and heat recla- mation units. He says the brine header replacement is essential because they have experienced three leaks in the existing system this year alone. He says they will “save money on. this part of the upgrade, however, by doing some of the work — the removal of 110 feet of steel piping — themselves. - According to Scott, the dehu- midifier. will prevent the conden- sation which is causing struc- tural damage and bumps on the ice surface due to water droplets falling from the arena roof. The heat reclamation units, he says, will save the city money by reclaiming some of the energy which is presently lost to the atmosphere when they make ice. He explains that the reclamation units will heat 40 degree Faren- heit water entering the building to approximately 100 degrees and it can then be used as a. source Of heat, replacing the present natural gas heating sys- tem. Scott says the unit will pay for itself in reduced heating - costs in about two and a half years, MAIR Home EnergyTips The Bad Old Days “They don’t build them like they used to” And that’s a good. ventilated. Even today, many homes are built using techniques and materials that result in hot and cold spots, noise and poor air quality, The Quality Plus Solution Now, B.C, Hydro, in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia, has developed the Quality Plus Home Program. Quality Plus Homes are constructed according to more stringent building standards than the average house. Energy efficiency is built right in, through improved construction methods, insulation, weather sealing, air circulation, windows and heating systems. A Quality Plus Home offers your family a more comfortable, healthy environment and lower energy costs. Quality Plus Homes are constructed by specially-trained, professional builders to energy efficiency standards set by B.C, Hydro. They're certified by CHBA-BC only ifthey satisfy extra require- ments not ‘tequired of the standard house. The Quality Plus symbol! i is your assurance that the house meets all the program specifications. Quality Plus Homes are designed with the following features: * optimum levels of insulation for draft-free comfort; « better quality windows and glazing; — + clean, fresh air throughout the house; + the economy of heat recovery from exhaust air; - ; _ ¢ aheating system matched to both the local climate and the size of the house; * an energy efficient fireplace and/or woodstove (if used). You can make your Quality Plus Home even more energy- efficient by choosing appliances with low EnerGuide ratings and. by using fluorescent lighting wherever possible. An added bonus of the extra insulation in a Quality Plus” Home is lowered levels of noise from outside. This is especially beneficial for people who live near busy streets, A Quality Plus Home is a quiet home. Of course, the noise level instde the house from active children is another matter! Cost Efficiency Because of the added energy efficiency features, a Quality Plus Home costs a bit more than a standard house. For example, on a $100,000 house, the Quality Plus features will add from $2,500 to $5,000 to the basic price. But the premium is worth the investment because a Quality Plus Home costs less to run. Heating costs will be lower. And the resale value of the house will be enhanced by all the “plusses’’ For more information _ The Quality Plus Home Program is sponsored by B.C. Hydro, CHBA-BC, the R-2000 Program, West Kootenay Power, B.C..Gas and the New Home Warranty Program of B.C, and the Yukon. To find out more about the Quality Plus Home Program and to get names of Quality Plus builders in your area, please contact your local B.C. Hydro office or the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of B.C. Power Smart . The Quality Plus Home Program is only one of B.C. Hydro’s Power Smart initiatives. Other residential programs are designed to help you choose energy efficient appliances and lighting, insulate your house for maximum energy and cost savings and heat your home efficiently, We also offer programs for commercial and industrial customers-from municipal energy audits to high-efficiency motor rebates. For more information on Power Smart programs, contact your local B.C: Hydro office. BChydro "Terrace Review — Wednesday, May'31,1989 7 (Penne