Today the Urban Development Institute (UDI) and its members announced that they have raised an outstanding $109,000 as seed money for the UDI Development Industry Endowment at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
The Endowment is part of a larger UDI Legacy Program that will go a long way in supporting future generations of developers, professionals and skilled workers. Established through charitable contributions from UDI members, the Endowment will initially provide five $1,000 awards to BCIT students intending to pursue a career in real estate and/or development. These incentives will be given to non-trades students pursuing studies in marketing, finance, development and other industry-related areas.
“The development industry knows that a strong industry hinges on the availability of skilled, well-trained people,” said David Podmore, past president, UDI and Chief Executive Officer & President, Concert Properties Ltd. “Our industry members have taken a direct action to help address the BC development industry’s critical skills shortage. Investing in a skilled workforce for the future is a smart business decision, especially for those of us with a stake in the future of BC’s development industry.”
The Endowment will continue to grow through the contributions of funds raised at the UDI’s annual golf tournament. The goal is to support an increasing number of $1,000 awards annually. UDI anticipates establishing similar endowments with other post secondary education institutions in British Columbia to provide similar financial support at that institution.
BCIT has also contributed a one-time match of $10,000 to the Endowment. Dr. Tony Knowles, President, BCIT, congratulated the industry association stating, “Awards make a positive difference to student lives – they are often the extra incentive a student needs to succeed.”
Maureen Enser, Executive Director, UDI added that, “Scholarships, bursaries and awards are an investment in human capital and we are pleased that UDI, through our members, is supporting BCIT construction-related programs through the establishment of this fund.”
Twenty-five UDI members and BCIT have contributed to the seed fund, six at the Platinum level ($10,000 and over). These include, BCIT, Concert Properties Ltd., Intracorp Projects Ltd., Portrait Homes Ltd., Pacific Newspaper Group/Can West and Townline Ventures.
