Over twenty-five years ago, a young apprentice worked on the TRU Training House. In 2026, he returns…but this time as Project Manager.
In September of 2000, Paul Douglas moved to Kamloops at only 21 years old and through TRU’s (Thompson Rivers University) trades program, he began his carpentry apprenticeship.
As part of his first year in their trades program, he worked on the CHBA (Canadian Home Builders Association) Central Interior Training House. Still in practice today, these projects are an opportunity for apprentices to take what they learn in their first year and put it into practice on an actual residential build.
At the time, it was one of Paul’s first steps into the construction industry. He didn’t know it then, but this first project was the start of what would be a full-circle moment for him and his career.
25 Years of Building Experience
Over the next two and a half decades, Paul worked and trained; moving from apprentice to Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter, and eventually, the owner of Malcolm Homes.
Along the way, the scale and size of the projects changed. Paul gained experience and knowledge, positioning himself and Malcolm Homes as a trusted authority on custom home builds in the British Columbia interior.
But despite his skills and scope evolving, his foundation has always remained the same: understand the work, respect the process, and never compromise on the details that determine the quality of the finished product.
Today, that foundation is the base of Malcolm Homes and the cornerstone of how every project is approached.
Full Circle: From Apprentice to Project Manager
In 2026, Paul returns to the TRU Training House in an entirely different capacity.
Now as a CHBACI board member and through the very same program that gave him experience at the beginning of his career, he is back on site and serving as Project Manager for the 2026 Training House project.
This time, he isn’t the apprentice learning on site. He’s the experienced builder helping create that same opportunity for the next generation of construction trades workers.
It’s a full-circle moment. But it’s also an important reminder of how strong trades programs build strong communities.
Knowledge has to be passed on. Experience has to be shared.
And the next generation of skilled tradespeople need opportunities to learn what no textbook can teach: how a new home actually comes together.
Building What Comes Next
For Paul, participating in the 2026 TRU Training House was an opportunity to give back to both Thompson Rivers University and CHBACI; two organizations that played an important role at the beginning of his career.
For Malcolm Homes, it reflects something of equal importance…
Twenty-five years of experience isn’t simply a number.
In fact, it’s thousands of decisions made on job sites. Of problems solved. Details refined. Lessons learned. And an understanding of this industry that can only come from having done the work and gaining the experience that Paul and Malcolm Homes, have been able to accumulate.
