VICA’s Tailgate Toolkit Program Recognized with National Award

The Vancouver Island Construction Association’s (VICA) Tailgate Toolkit program has been announced as the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) 2024 Community Leader Award winner. Launched in 2019, the Tailgate Toolkit is a provincial-wide program that provides education and training for members of British Columbia’s construction industry on issues regarding substance use, mental health, and pain management.

“I would like to thank the Canadian Construction Association for recognizing VICA’s Tailgate Toolkit Program and awarding us the 2024 Community Leader Award”, said VICA CEO, Rory Kulmala. “Of the awards and accolades this program has received over the years; the Community Leader Award is one that we hold in high regard. To have the recognition of your peers which represent the demographic the Tailgate Toolkit is looking to reach, underlines the shift our industry has made in addressing substance use, mental health, and pain management in recent years.”

In a 2022 Death Review Panel report by the BC Coroners Service, of those who were employed at the time of their death, 35% were employed in the trades, transport or as equipment operators. To help support BC’s construction industry, the Tailgate Toolkit provides on-site/virtual “toolbox talks”, supervisor training, an industry support group and region-specific resource guides for those looking for supports in their local area. To date, the Tailgate Toolkit team has worked with over 4,000 individuals in BC’s construction industry.

The Community Leader Award recognizes CCA member firms, partner associations or individuals employed by a CCA member firm who have devoted time and effort to the betterment of their communities.

“Congratulations to the Tailgate Toolkit program and its team on this well-deserved recognition. The VRCA team and its members appreciate and recognize your tireless efforts in developing and delivering vital training programs, like the supervisor training program, to educate and enhance access to harm reduction services within the construction industry. We’re proud to stand by your side and support this crucial work,” said Jeannine Martin, President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA)

The Tailgate Toolkit is funded by the Ministry of Mental Health & Addictions, The Canadian Mental Health Association (BC Division), and the Community Action Initiative. The program is supported by the BC Construction Association, Vancouver Regional Construction Association, Southern Interior Construction Association, and the Northern BC Construction Association.

For more information on the Tailgate Toolkit, visit www.thetailgatetoolkit.ca

Contact:

Owen O’Rourke | owen@vicabc.ca
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Vancouver Island Construction Association