Saskatchewan Roofing Contractors Association More than a half century of training, information and technological expertise to elevate industry standards Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Established in 1963, the Saskatchewan Roofing Con- tractors Association (SRCA) holds the same goals today as in its infancy: to provide members with access to train- ing, information and technological expertise to maintain high professional standards. Along the way the association has grown and adapted to new demands and interests. Today, SRCA president Lindsay Pochynuk says recruitment, competition and safety are key concerns. “Roofing is a demanding job that can be physical and messy. Although it’s a good living for good work, it isn’t one of those ‘attractive’ trades that immediately comes to mind for young people.” Even within the association, Pochynuk says there is ev- idence of a changing of the guard reflecting the industry, as older members retire and move on and leave voids that need to be filled. Where Pochynuk is now president, his father Wayne once held the position. He says further complicating the labour shortage has been the province’s decision to cut foreign worker pro- grams which he says could always be relied on to pro- vided needed labour. “Many people come to the 46 – April-May 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report industry and stay,” he said “My company is 50 years old and I have some people who have been with us 40 years. There is also a transient nature to the business though and people will come, try it and be gone again fairly shortly after.” Pochynuk says he works with high schools talking to students about the industry in the hopes of encouraging them into trades but adds that the lack of a formal appren- ticeship program within the province has added additional challenges. He says there had been an informal program through the community colleges but that was cancelled and nothing has stepped in yet to replace it. “SRCA actually responded to an RFP to provide an ap- prenticeship program but it would have been too costly. We’ve been lobbying for four years now to get a program reinstated and will keep working on it.” The lack of a formal program creates challenges be- yond numbers though as companies carry sole responsi- bility for providing training and certification. SRCA fills some of the void, working with manufactures to provide training sessions so members can acquire the skills and techniques they need. The association also provides its members with torch safety training, delivered in conjunc- tion with the Saskatchewan Safety Association.