Learn more about Lincoln Construction's Chris Himmelsbach’s Journey Through BCITs Carpentry Apprenticeship Program
We are so fortunate to have incredible crew members on the team at Lincoln Construction, and when one of our team feels motivated to take their career to the next step, we aim to support them in any way we can. So much of Construction can be learned on job sites and picked up from site supervisors and experienced crew—this on-the-job learning is invaluable. Additionally, school can be a fantastic opportunity to solidify knowledge and fill in gaps in learning, giving individuals the confidence to grow and develop. The Carpentry Apprenticeship Program at BCIT helps learners take the theory and practical elements of technical, skilled carpentry to the next level.
Chris in action on site.
Chris Himmelsbach is a Site Supervisor at Lincoln Construction and has been a valued member of the team since 2021. After several years in the construction field Chris was keen to return to school to further his knowledge and focus on career development.
Having recently been promoted to Site Supervisor at Lincoln Construction, Chris had clear goals for attending school:
Expand his knowledge
Develop skills to improve his ability to manage projects
Gain hands-on practical training in a learning environment to fill in any gaps
Work toward earning his Red Seal qualification
After 18 years away from school, (since he studied Tugboat Building), Chris at first found it challenging being back in a school setting. However, he was quickly put at ease, due to the additional resources that BCIT provides for people who haven't been in education for a while, or for those struggling with specific elements of the program.
Starting as part of a cohort of 20, Chris was learning alongside other carpenters across the Lower Mainland and surrounding areas, including some others working at construction companies across the Coast. The key goal of the program was to educate and improve the skills and knowledge of carpenters to strengthen their skills and empower them on job sites. Covering topics such as professional technique, safety, and engineering and with daily knowledge tests, Chris quickly realized that he was in for an intense learning experience.
“There were daily tests. Each test had 50 questions, so after school ended at 2 PM, we had to study for the next day's test. And with school starting at 7:30 AM, there wasn’t much time for anything else!” Chris exclaimed when asked if he had much time to enjoy the city during the program. With the final test consisting of 100 questions and a required passing grade of 70%, it was crucial that each learner absorbed as much information as possible throughout the course.
The program highlighted high-performance homes and Passive Home certification, emphasizing the importance of doing things correctly and taking the time needed to achieve quality results. A significant focus was also placed on WorkSafe BC, as working safely and efficiently is a vital aspect of Carpentry. This cohort was especially notable because, in BC, the new generation of licensed carpenters is now required to build according to code, with a codebook on hand.
During the program, Chris gained practical skills such as staircase and floor system installation and spent time working with concrete. Some projects were solo, while others required teamwork, which helped Chris improve both his individual abilities and his collaboration skills. He particularly enjoyed the hands-on learning experience and appreciated the opportunity to work with Span Tables, saying, “It was great to learn more about load considerations and gain an understanding of the engineering side of things. It’s a valuable skill to be able to handle everyday calculations without relying on engineers.” Chris noted.
Chris was grateful for the support he received from the team at BCIT, as well as the ongoing communication with Lincoln Construction Founder & CEO, Erik Lincoln. “It was really helpful having Erik just a phone call away, especially a few nights after school when I needed help with questions that came up while studying for the daily tests,” Chris shared.
Overall, Chris had a positive experience at BCIT, finishing 3rd in his class and will be back in class for the next seven-week study block next week!
Well done, Chris! We’re so proud of your hard work and know you’ll continue to do amazingly in your next round of studies.