NEWS
It is with great regret that the FTI BC and DC38 announce the passing of Graham Young, the Director of Training at the Finishing Trades Institute of British Columbia. He died early May 11, 2011 after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. He will be missed considerably by everyone at DC38 and FTI BC. With his passing is the loss of a tenacious leader, a passionate administrator, and a truly remarkable person.
Graham took on the challenging role of Director of Training at the FTI BC in January 2007, after running the Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board trade school for 8 years. Earlier in his career, he was a Pipe/Steamfitter Journeyperson, and held a class A gas ticket. Before starting his apprenticeship training, he studied at Simon Fraser University where he also played varsity soccer. Keeping his love of soccer alive throughout his life, Graham coached all three of his kids's soccer teams.
Before Graham joined the FTI BC, the school trained only one trade, painting and decorating. Graham was one of the key players in the training expansion that saw the school train four ITA-approved trades: painting and decorating, glazing, drywall finishing, and wall and ceiling installer. Without his hard work and dedication to apprentices and training, the FTI BC would not have become the top finishing trades school in British Columbia and apprentices who earned their Red Seal through the FTI BC may not have had the same opportunities.
"Graham committed to his role of Director of Training at the FTI BC," said David Holmes, President of DC38. "He came in at a time when the FTI BC needed some solid direction and leadership. Graham did more than I could have expected, and he succeeded with every project he took on. Graham had other career paths he could have taken, but he chose to work with us. We were very fortunate and he will be greatly missed."
But his innovative work ethic did not stop with the expansion. Graham was responsible for making many important and meaningful connections from the school into the community. He developed special training programs for at-risk youth groups, high school students, women from Vancouver's troubled Downtown Eastside, and most recently at Seabird Island, where he created a unique 10-month trades training program for First Nations people living on reserve.
Graham was a highly motivated Director of Training and oversaw the daily operations of the FTI with care and diligence. His commitment to training and apprenticeship programs will be missed.
"It is difficult for me to put into words how deeply I personally feel the loss of Graham Young," said Patrick Byrne, DC38 Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer. "Before we were ever co-workers we were adversaries on the soccer field-he being a striker and me a goal keeper. One thing I believe everyone can agree upon is that you didn't have to know Graham for long before you became his friend, and it's Graham's friendship I will miss the most."
DC38 and the FTI BC send Graham's wife, Evelyn, and his three children their deepest condolences. His family was very important to him. One of Graham's favourite stories to tell was about travelling back to Scotland for a family reunion in the country where he was born.
A funeral will be held in honour of Graham Young on Monday, May 16, 2011 at Our Lady of Fatima at 315 Walker, Coquitlam at 11 a.m. For details, click here. The office will be closed all day, May 16, 2011.
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