Community Builders Muskoka was honoured to receive the Creative Employee Retention & Recruitment Award at the 2026 Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala on April 30.
For the team at Community Builders, the recognition represents far more than hiring and retention success. It reflects a growing commitment to creating opportunities for people facing barriers to employment and to helping them build meaningful careers in the skilled trades.
Having launched operations in Muskoka in November 2025, Community Builders Muskoka was already grateful to be recognized alongside other businesses making a positive impact in the community. Receiving the award was an exciting milestone for the team and an encouraging sign that this work is resonating across the region.
Building More Than Construction Skills
At the centre of Community Builders’ work is its 12-week paid Skilled Trades Training Program, designed to support individuals who may struggle to access stable employment opportunities. That can include people who lack formal education, experience racial discrimination, are new Canadians seeking local work experience, live with disabilities, or have involvement with the criminal justice system. Once individuals graduate from our training, they have an 89% chance of securing stable, well-paying jobs in construction, helping them reach their full potential.
The program provides trainees with hands-on construction experience, industry-recognized safety certifications, tools, PPE, and employment readiness support—all while working alongside experienced crews on real construction projects.
For us, the goal has always been about more than construction. It is about creating fair chances, restoring confidence, and helping people build stable futures through meaningful employment. We believe meaningful work should also come with fair wages, support, and opportunities for long-term growth.
“I left the evening feeling so grateful. Grateful to be part of an organization that truly makes a difference, helps change lives, and creates opportunities to pass valuable skills on to the next generation of tradespeople.”
— Amanda Wendelgass, Training Program Coordinator, Community Builders Muskoka
Community at the Core
Community Builders operates as a social enterprise construction company across Northern and Central Ontario, reinvesting proceeds from construction projects back into training and workforce development programs.
That model allows every renovation, build, and maintenance project to directly support opportunities for people looking to enter the trades industry.
The recognition from the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce highlights the growing impact of that work in Muskoka—not only through construction projects but also through the people and partnerships that help strengthen the local workforce.
As we continue to expand in the region, our focus on addressing the following issues remains the same: the Affordable Housing Crisis and the Skilled Labour Shortage.
If you have a renovation or construction project in the Muskoka Region, let us help you!
Contact: Mike Paterson, Construction Manager
Email: mikep@communitybuilders.co
Cell: (705) 400-7302
Building with Purpose.
Reinvesting in Communities.
