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SD42 trades showcase coming to Maple Ridge

Put on by SD42, the event will feature heavy equipment simulators

A free, interactive trades showcase featuring heavy equipment simulators will be taking place in Maple Ridge. 

The show, put on by the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School District, is geared towards those who are graduating from high school and want to learn more about their future options in the trades, and others who feel the information would be valuable. 

More than 50 companies and trade organizations will be at the show, including post-secondary institutions, training providers, representation groups, and industry professionals. 

The show will feature industry representatives like: Automotive Retailers Association; BC Council of Forest Industries; BC Hydro Apprenticeship; BCIT Motive Power; Bosa Construction; Coast Mountain Bus Company; Insulators Local 118; Lordco; Pitt Meadows Plumbing; Russell Mechanical; Seaspan; SkilledTradesBC; UA Local 516; UBC Build – Carpenters Regional Council; WorkBC; and more.

New this year there will be a lot more hands-on activities, said Brad Dingler SD42's trades and apprenticeship coordinator.

Two simulator trailers will be there for people to try out heavy equipment operations like excavators, bulldozers, and rock trucks, provided by the BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association and the BC Institute of Technology. 

There will also be more hands-on displays and demonstrations, and more diverse industry representation.

Like the Insulators Union, Coast Mountain Bus, and BC Hydro. 

In addition there will be a separate session for parents. A parent break-out room will allow them to engage with employers, ask questions, and learn about what the future in trades looks like for students. 

That is on top of a women in trades break-out session, and a panel discussion. 

The show has expanded immensely since the inaugural show in 2023. 

This year it will take over the entire lower portion of Thomas Haney Secondary School, in addition to the school's gym.

"It's geared towards anybody interested in the trades," explained Dingler, noting in the future they are trying to pivot to more of a community event. 

"We want people to understand the diverse and unique possibilities that are out there. It's beyond hands-on," he said. 

"We want to show the community, and our district personnel, and the students in our district that skilled trades are skilled trades," he said. 

Last year more than 600 people attended and Dingler is hoping just as many people turn out this year. 

Dingler said fair like this are important to show students the diverseness of skilled trades and teaching them, how to earn a trades certification, the importance of numeracy and literacy in the trades, and what makes a person marketable in the trades. 

"How that impacts and creates more potential for you as an individual to explore and expand into your career choice," he said. 

The SD42 Trades Showcase takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Thomas Haney Secondary School, 23000 116 Ave., Maple Ridge.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., opening remarks are at 6 p.m., an industrial question and answer period will take place at 6:15 p.m., meet the instructors at 7:15 p.m., Women in Trades Break-out at 7:15 p.m., in addition to the Parent Inquiry Break-Out at the same time.

Students are welcome to bring a resume.

Refreshments will be provided by the Vancouver Community College Professional Cook Level One students.

Although the event is free, those who would like to attend must register at: https://apprenticeship.sd42.ca/trades-showcase-night-2025-ever-expanding/.



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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