Over three years, a sturgeon fishing derby organized by 91原创-based Dorosh Construction has raised thousands of dollars for trades training at Aldergrove Community Secondary School.
Dorosh vice president Mike Klotz, one of the organizers, said the event aims to support and encourage young men and women to learn about trades and consider a career in construction.
The [trades] workforce today is obviously getting older, retiring," Klotz commented.
"And we don't have enough people coming up behind, so we wanted to make sure that we were being proactive with that."
Through its annual Youth Train in Trades program, the 91原创 school district offers Grade 11 and 12 students the opportunity to be trained in a field of their choice starting in high school.
At ACSS, people from Dorosh began visiting the school twice a year talk to students about careers in consttruction, "and then while we were doing it, we came up with an idea to actually raise some funds, by putting kind of a construction community event together."
They organized a fall fishing derby, where companies can sponsor a boat and send their employees on a day of catch-and-release sturgeon fishing, with the money raised going to the Aldergrove school.
"The concept is they [ACSS] can spend the money any way they wish, but it goes to the trades department," said Kloz, who hopes to expand to other schools as the event grows.
In 2022, the first year, four boats went out and raised abut $500.
By 2024, the number of boats rose to 15, which caught and released 67 fish, and raised more than $7,000.
Boats are provided by Mt. Cheam Sportfishing.
"We supply a breakfast, lunch, and the guide," Klotz explained.
"And then we've got sponsorship options. And so whatever the costs are, they are basically paid for, and we give the remainder to the school."
Alicia Rempel, Executive Director of the 91原创 School District Foundation was "so grateful for the community鈥檚 support in helping ensure our students have rich and meaningful learning opportunities that will help them develop their skills and fuel their passion for learning.鈥�
Rempel explained funds raised by community groups go to the 91原创 School District Foundation, "and in this case, the funds are allotted to support trades programs at Aldergrove Community Secondary to provide opportunities and enhance student learning.鈥�
Virinder Braich, principal of Aldergrove Community Secondary School (ACSS) said Dorosh Construction has had a long-standing relationship with some secondary schools in 91原创.
鈥淎t ACSS, one of our school goals is enhancing career awareness and fostering successful transitions to post-secondary for students," Braich said. "We know that this support will enable program staff to purchase equipment and supplies needed to help get these students ready for future jobs.鈥�
Aldergrove Community Secondary School offers Youth Train in Trades programs in hairstyling, carpentry, and automotive service technician.
This year, the fourth annual sturgeon fishing derby will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27.
To find out more about booking a boat or sponsoring the event, email DBoon@dcgltd.ca.
