Building Up

Building stronger homes. Building stronger futures. 🏠🔧

We're excited to partner with Hamilton City Housing to give our trainees hands-on experience while making a real impact in the community.

This crew is conducting unit audits, carefully documenting everything that needs attention before returning to complete the repairs. From plumbing fixtures and leaks to holes in the walls and other maintenance issues, every detail helps create safer, better homes for residents while giving trainees valuable real-world experience.

Leading the team is Anthonia, alongside trainees Ahmed, Johan, Maiwand, Onyeka, Stella, and Wurie, who are building their technical skills one unit at a time.

This is what workforce development looks like: learning by doing, serving the community, and creating pathways to meaningful careers in the skilled trades.

Thank you to Hamilton City Housing for investing in both housing quality and the next generation of skilled trades professionals. 💙

Meet Cyera, one of the incredible people behind Building Up. 💙

For nearly three years, Cyera has been helping trainees build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach goals they once thought were out of reach.

When asked what drew her to Building Up, her answer was simple:
"My passion for helping others reach their goals, seeing them grow and succeed, and knowing I was able to help them with that is what appealed to me and kept me here."

She also loves that every day brings something new.

"Building Up is not just one thing. As a non-profit and social enterprise, we're constantly learning, pivoting, and growing. I'm always working with different people from different walks of life, learning about their stories and building relationships by sharing my own."

What means the most to Cyera is that Building Up's impact doesn't stop after 16 weeks.

"Supporting someone through the ebbs and flows of real world life is something that means a lot to me."

Over the years, she's watched trainees transform, from learning how to use a power tool or update a resume, to learning how to drive, securing union careers, becoming financially stable, and even starting or growing their families.

As Cyera puts it:
"I feel a part of so many people's stories by simply showing up to work."

Thank you, Cyera, for your compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to helping our trainees build brighter futures. We're so grateful to have you as part of the Building Up team. 💙

🚧 Myth Buster: "Hiring someone new to construction is too much of a risk."

✅ Reality: Every skilled tradesperson started somewhere.

For many employers, the biggest question isn't whether someone has years of experience. It's whether they have the attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn that will help them succeed.

At Building Up, we connect employers with candidates who have already demonstrated their commitment to building a career in the skilled trades. Through opportunities like our two-week job trials, employers can see how a candidate fits with their team while graduates gain valuable, hands-on experience in a real workplace.

The next great addition to your team could be someone looking for their first opportunity.

Interested in hiring? Connect with Aliza directly at [email protected] to learn how Building Up can help you find motivated, job-ready talent.

Did you know construction contracts can create more than buildings?

Through social procurement, organizations can use their purchasing power to create added community benefit alongside the work being delivered.

For Building Up, that means construction and retrofit projects can also become opportunities for paid training, hands-on experience and pathways into the skilled trades.

When partners choose to work with social enterprises, project investments can go further — supporting better buildings, stronger communities and more inclusive access to meaningful careers.

That’s the power of social procurement.

Once Building Up, always Building Up. 💙

This July, we welcomed alumni back for our annual Alumni Picnic. An afternoon filled with laughter, great food, soccer, and meaningful conversations.

Seeing familiar faces reconnect, meeting new alumni, and celebrating the relationships built through Building Up is a reminder that our community extends far beyond graduation. It's about the people, the support, and the lifelong connections we continue to build together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this year's picnic so special. We can't wait to do it again!

Big upgrade for our Insulation Team! 🚛

Our new Canadian-made insulation blowing machine is officially on the road, helping us complete attic insulation projects more efficiently while maintaining the high-quality workmanship our clients expect.

Investing in better equipment means investing in better service, safer worksites, and more opportunities for our team to build valuable skills.

Here's to the next chapter of keeping homes warmer, more energy-efficient, and built to last.

The Skills Canada National Competition is a great opportunity to explore the many career pathways available in the skilled trades. One of our trainees had the chance to attend the event, where she explored different trades, experienced hands-on activities, and connected with industry professionals. 🔨

From interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to exciting trade competitions, the event highlighted the talent, innovation, and craftsmanship that make the skilled trades such a rewarding field.

Opportunities like these give our trainees the chance to build connections, broaden their understanding of the industry, and gain valuable insight into careers in the skilled trades. Thank you to Skills Canada for hosting such a valuable event! 👏

Employer Myth vs. Reality #1 👷🏽‍♀️🏗️

❌ Myth: Hiring entry-level workers means starting from zero.

✅ Reality: Building Up graduates don't arrive without preparation.

Over 16 weeks of paid pre-apprenticeship training, participants develop the foundational skills employers expect before stepping onto a job site. They gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in construction.

Before connecting with employers, our graduates have practiced:
🔨 Following safety procedures
👷 Working as part of a crew
📋 Taking direction and applying feedback
🛠️ Using basic tools and equipment
🏗️ Understanding jobsite expectations

They're still at the beginning of their careers, but they're ready to contribute, learn, and grow with the right employer.

At Building Up, we help bridge the gap between untapped talent and meaningful employment in the skilled trades.

Mohamed's journey is a great reminder of how far determination and perseverance can take you. By staying committed to learning and making the most of every opportunity, he turned uncertainty into a successful career in the skilled trades. 💪

One of the things Mohamed valued most about Building Up was the opportunity to experience multiple job sites, observe experienced journeymen, and gain a deeper understanding of the trade. He rated his experience 5 out of 5, sharing that those early experiences gave him the confidence and direction to move forward.

We're proud to see Mohamed building a bright future in the skilled trades and can't wait to see what's next for him. 👏

📬 Our Summer Employer Newsletter has arrived!

Check your inbox for the latest updates from Building Up, including:
🔨 Graduate success stories
🤝 Employer partner highlights
🏗️ Updates from our new training centre
📅 Community events and industry news
💼 Opportunities to connect with skilled, job-ready graduates

Thank you for being part of our mission to build stronger careers and stronger communities.