Building the Future: Why We Created Legacy Builders
By Christina Rauchfleisz-Shantz - Founder & Director, Legacy Builders Program
Across Canada, the demand for skilled tradespeople is growing faster than ever before. In Ontario alone, our industry will need more than 100,000 new trades professionals in the next decade to keep pace with the infrastructure and construction projects on the horizon. As someone who grew up in a construction family and now works in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges we face in attracting the next generation of builders.
That’s why I created Legacy Builders—a program designed to bring the world of construction directly into the classroom.
The “Why” Behind Legacy Builders
The idea sparked while I was serving as chairperson of the Leaders in Construction board at the Grand Valley Construction Association. One of our biggest goals was to bridge the gap between the classroom and the jobsite. We knew we needed to do more than simply tell students about construction—we needed to show them.
Too often, families still see construction as a “last resort” career path. The stereotype is that construction means long days sweeping sawdust for low pay. But the truth is far more exciting. Construction is innovation. It’s problem-solving. It’s teamwork. It’s designing, managing, building, and creating spaces that shape our communities. It’s also a field that offers financially rewarding, professional, and diverse career options.
As a third-generation construction professional, I’ve seen the breadth of opportunities in this industry. And as a woman, I know how important it is to show that this field is for everyone. The legacy we pass down shouldn’t just be about brick and mortar—it should be about possibility.
How the Program Works
Launched in 2022, Legacy Builders brings industry professionals into Grade 8 classrooms across Waterloo Region to share their career journeys and inspire curiosity. But inspiration alone wasn’t enough—we wanted to make it hands-on and fun.
That’s where Legacy Bidders comes in. It’s a game I created based on real-life experience in tendering projects. The game takes students through the bidding process—getting them involved in reading drawings, creating competitive prices for their designated trade, and working to win the job. The energy in the classroom is electric as teams strategize and compete to become the successful bidder. The winning general contractor team and their trades earn a Legacy swag item to take home and share proudly with their families.
And that’s where the ripple effect begins. Parents ask about the hat or the game, and suddenly, conversations about construction careers are happening around the dinner table.
What We’ve Seen
The response has been overwhelming. We currently have a two-year waitlist of schools eager to bring Legacy Builders to their classrooms. Teachers tell us it’s one of the most engaging programs their students experience all year. And most importantly, students walk away with a new understanding: that there truly is a place for everyone in construction.
Looking Ahead
Partner sponsorships fund Legacy Builders, and thanks to the incredible support of industry leaders, we’re growing quickly. But the need is even greater than we imagined. Our mission remains simple—to inspire students, spark conversations at home, and help build the future of our industry one classroom at a time.
When I watch a room full of Grade 8 students throw themselves into Legacy Bidders, or hear them ask an engineer how they got their start, I know we’re planting seeds that will grow into tomorrow’s builders, designers, and leaders. That’s the legacy we’re proud to be passing on. To learn more about the program or to become a partner, visit bepwr.ca/legacy-builders.
