10th Anniversary of Heavy Metal Rocks in Kamloops

2018 marked the 10th year of the Heavy Metal Rocks event in Kamloops. This project provides opportunities for 26 Grade 11 and 12 students from the School District No. 73 to explore career opportunities in the heavy equipment operator field. 

The program has been a great success over the last ten years due to the amazing support of the local Kamloops construction industry! SICA is proud to have been volunteering and contributing to the program since it's inception.

Students get the opportunity to operate 13 different pieces of heavy equipment over a 2 ½ day period, with the guidance of experienced operators who volunteer their time to act as mentors. In addition to hands-on experience, the students get certified in the following certificates; CSTS, First Aid, and WHMIS. Plus, they gain valuable confidence from completing each step in the process.

"Having participated on the Steering Committee for Heavy Metal Rocks in Kamloops since its inception, it has been amazing to see the progression of this program. In the beginning, it was hard to find enough students to participate, and now we have so many more applicants that the screening process has become pretty intense. The construction community here in Kamloops is incredible, they are the reason this program is still around!" said Aleda Styan, SICA Project Services Coordinator. 

Many of the students have gone on to careers in the trades and all of them have gained valuable life-experience from participating. With recent stats showing that only 1 in 70 high school students are choosing a career in the trades within one year of graduation, this program is extremely valuable in showing the career opportunities that exist in the construction industry.

We would like to thank our SICA members who helped make this year’s event such a success:

  • Acres Enterprises
  • Casadio & Son Ready Mix
  • City of Kamloops
  • Corix Water Products
  • Emco Corporation/Westlund
  • Extreme Excavating
  • Finning Canada
  • Hub International
  • Leavitt Machinery
  • Okanagan Audio Lab
  • Pashco Blasting
  • United Rentals

For more information on the program please visit School District No. 73's website.

CCOWorkshop2022Wrapup.jpg
April 28, 2022

CCO Workshop 2022

This is the wrap up for the CCO Workshop. This one day conference where the goal is to facilitate open and transparent conversation between all parties in the construction industry.
Read More
Screen Shot 2021-09-22 at 9.59.47 AM.png
September 23, 2021

2021 Annual Report
On Thursday, September 23rd, SICA is holding a hybrid in-person/virtual Annual General Meeting. During the AGM SICA will share our latest Annual Report which covers the fiscal period between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
Read More
Legacy-Fund-sq.jpg
July 16, 2021

Kelowna Crane Incident Legacy Education Fund
Through the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) Fund and in partnership with the Construction Foundation of BC, SICA is organizing the Kelowna Crane Incident Legacy Education Fund. This fund is a tribute to the individuals who tragically lost their lives from the Brooklyn Site Incident on July 12th, 2021. The funds raised through this fund will go towards supporting future post-secondary education for the children of the victims in this tragedy.
Read More
7AFE1E5B-8F71-489C-93E6-C8A54BBD045E.JPG
July 15, 2021

#Hangahighvisoutside
SICA is amplifying the call to show solidarity and honour those who lost their lives on Monday by hanging a safety vest outside your workplace or home. Please consider hanging a safety vest outside your workplace or home. Use the hashtag #hangahighvisoutside when posting this initiative on social media.
Read More
hardhat.jpg
July 13, 2021

Brooklyn Site Crane Accident Statement
The board, staff, and members of SICA are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic crane accident in Kelowna yesterday. Our hearts grieve for the families, friends, and co-workers of those who did not return home from the job-site last night. Our deepest condolences go out to those who have been affected by this catastrophe.
Read More
BC-Construction-Association-Social-Covid-SICA-Final-V7.jpeg
July 02, 2021

Construction Fast Lanes for COVID-19 Vaccine
In partnership with the BC Public Health Office, the BCCA and its partners have made available construction fast lanes at select vaccination centers around the province on specified dates between and times through June and July.
Read More
Indigenous_History_Month.jpeg
June 07, 2021

Every Child Matters - Indigenous History Month
I write to you heavy with emotions regarding the recent discovery at the Kamloops residential school. This is a long-awaited confirmation of the cultural annihilation forced upon our indigenous communities. I feel the profound grief and anger of my ancestral lineage being of the Metis Nation, as well as a feeling of deep shame of being Canadian right now.
Read More
constructionmonth2021.jpeg
April 09, 2021

Construction Month 2021
Today, April 9th, as part of the #lunchboxchallenge for Construction Month 2021 SICA was happy to serve lunch to the workers on the Acres Enterprises Ltd. Barkman site in Merritt!
Read More
DSC_0099-scaled.jpeg
March 26, 2021

SICA training courses prove practical and meaningful to students
It’s no exaggeration to say the global economy has been paralyzed by the pandemic. Fortunately for many Canadians, the construction industry was one of the few beacons in an otherwise slow economy greatly inhibited by COVID-19. Of course, the many forms of construction activity couldn’t forge ahead frivolously – social distancing, rigorous cleaning protocols and an abundance of caution were the norm on work sites everywhere, and it’s clear these methods will continue in the months ahead.
Read More
Gold-Seal-Website.jpg
March 22, 2021

2021 Gold Seal Program Changes
The Gold Seal Certification program certifies estimators, foremen, owner’s construction managers, project managers, safety practitioners and superintendents working in, or with, Canada’s non-residential construction industry.
Read More
cdc-bkc-m0iZ4Sk-unsplash.jpg
March 16, 2020

COVID-19 Update
​Like you, SICA has been closely monitoring the ongoing global spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Read More
Awards-Newsletter.jpg
October 04, 2019

2019 Industry Awards of Excellence Winners
SICA would like to congratulate all the finalists and the winners of SICA's inaugural Industry Awards of Excellence! Finalists and winners were honored yesterday, October 3rd, at the Award Presentation Dinner held at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna, BC.
Read More
AdobeStock_76301792.png
December 12, 2018

Winter Safety Tips
Working during winter feels more like survival of the fittest than an everyday challenge. The risks are much greater for employees who have to work and drive outdoors.
Read More
2018-SICA-Chair-Dinner-125.jpg
September 13, 2018

8th Annual Chair Dinner & Awards Celebrates Industry Leaders
SICA held our annual Chair Dinner and Award Night where we celebrate member anniversaries, board volunteers, Gold Seal recipients, and scholarship recipients. In addition, this year we had the honor of awarding both a Consultant Award and the Innovation Award.
Read More
IMG_9870.JPG
June 28, 2018

2018 Kamloops Trap & Skeet
Every year the Kamloops Trap & Skeet is one of the most anticipated events we host! With over 100 attendees, BBQ steaks, and some tough competition it is safe to say that a blast was had by all.
Read More
IMG_9545.JPG
June 27, 2018

2018 SICA Golf Tournament
On June 21st, 2018 144 golfers converged on Sunset Ranch Golf Course for the annual SICA Golf Tournament. Despite lightening in the valley causing a brief course closure and pouring down rain in the afternoon the event was a huge success!
Read More
IMG_9202.JPG
May 30, 2018

2nd Annual Family Fishing Derby
The beautiful Roche Lake Resort was again the site for our now 2nd annual Family Fishing Derby. This event, hosted through a joint partnership between the Southern Interior Construction Association and CapriCMW Insurance, is quickly becoming a must attend for all SICA members.
Read More
Terry-Brown-CCA-Award-1.jpg
April 30, 2018

Celebrating our Own - Terry Brown Receives CCA's Person of the Year Award
The CCA Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the qualities of a leader and who apply the highest standards and principles of the construction industry and business community. To those who have had the opportunity of working alongside Terry Brown, he is the living embodiment of this description.
Read More
Heavy-Metal-Rocks-2018.JPG
April 24, 2018

10th Anniversary of Heavy Metal Rocks in Kamloops
2018 marked the 10th year of the Heavy Metal Rocks event in Kamloops. This project provides opportunities for Grade 11 and 12 students from the School District No. 73 to explore career opportunities in the heavy equipment operator field.
Read More
Kelowna-Construction-Breakfast-8.jpg
April 19, 2018

Construction Industry Celebrates BC Construction Month at Okanagan College
The Kelowna building community was proud to celebrate BC’s Construction & Skilled Trades Month with a breakfast held at Okanagan College on Thursday. In the newly built Trades Building contractors, apprentices, foundation program students and industry support organizations gathered to recognize the impact the construction industry has on the BC and specifically the Okanagan economy.
Read More
BCCA Employee Benefits logo.JPG
February 07, 2018

Unsung Benefits
The BCCA Employee Benefits’ plans offer other services beyond dental and extended health care.
Read More