Terrace-based company Technicon Industries has made it to the second round of voting in the Small Business BC award program.
The company is on the top-10 list for both the Premier’s People’s Choice and the Best Apprentice Training award categories.
Nearly 600 businesses were nominated by the public as their favourite small business in B.C. Voting was opened to the public, with the highest votes ensuring 10 companies making it to the semi-finals.
Technicon Industries president, and one of the owners, Andrew Contumelias, said the company was notified by Small Business BC that they had been nominated for the awards.
“It is really great to get recognition for what we do from the people that support us in the region,” said Contumelias. “We would like to thank all those who nominated our company and who have voted for us.”
This is the second year that Technicon has been nominated for the award – last year the company made it into the top five in the Best Apprentice Training category as well. Contumelias said the recognition they have received for their apprenticeship program is proof that their philosophy works.
“We have noticed that when we are able to train employees ourselves we are able to mould them into what we would like them to be,” said Contumelias, who was also a carpenter apprentice when he started out.
“This program makes our employees more versatile and better journeymen.”
He said the company has seen the program bear fruit – “some of our most successful people in the longterm received training through the program”.
Technicon, which has offices in Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert, builds houses throughout the north of B.C. and requires a number of skills. They offer apprenticeships to gasfitters, plumbers, drywall installers, painters, carpenters, and even mechanics. The company next year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
To vote for Technicon in the Premier’s People’s Choice award, visit sbbcawards.ca and click on Top 10.