“I got involved with the union because I wanted things to change.” Jim Lofty has done it all, from studying graphics and printing to working as a heavy-duty mechanic, as well as working in the film industry and stagecraft… all in all, Jim is a “handyman”. He started his journey into the electrical trade and…
The electrical trade is not just about climbing electrical poles and pulling wires. It is a skilled trade that is vast and exciting. Many incredible opportunities come with the trade that is worth exploring. Once you are Red Seal certified, you are unstoppable. If you desire to explore, work in a unique location, or are…
“As a military child, we called ourselves Dandelions, because we were all scattered to the wind.” Kelly Kienleitner has experienced more of life than most. She grew up in a strict military home with a mother who was a sergeant with the military police in the ’60s and moved often, attending 16 different schools in…
Teresa is a perfect example of an outstanding teacher. She thrives on the success of her students and their sense of accomplishment. Teresa is a teacher by trade with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Education. About 10 years ago, she found herself searching for a job as a high school…
Buddy Cardinal is a passionate and experienced leader in Indigenous training in BC, Canada. His passion for what he does is evident as he talks about the many incredibly talented indigenous people he has been privileged to work with and witness their growth and success. “I was always looking for the next big project.” As…
If you’re looking for a career change or are interested in the trades, the College of the BC Building Trades (BCBT) is the place for you. The college of the BCBT is an association of training providers affiliated with the construction union that belongs to the BC Building Trades. There are over 35,000 unionized construction…
“I started as an apprentice at the EJTC.” If you plan to join the electrical trade, James McKenna is the passionate, driven, and incredibly talented instructor you’ll want by your side. Starting as an apprentice at the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC), James began his foundational program in 2014 and completed his apprenticeship in 2018.…
“I found the trades to be an interesting field because at first, I didn’t know too much about it.” Erin Searle came to the EJTC with no previous experience in the trades. With her curious nature and willingness to give it her all, Erin demonstrated her interest in the industry and versatility throughout the years…
“We are a well-oiled machine.” Teamwork makes the dream work! For sixteen years, Shannon Zahara has been working with the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) and could not be happier with the camaraderie and operations of the team. “I started at reception, ground zero. When I started, I was blown away by how smoothly the…
“All my relatives are trades workers.” Rosa Riordan is no stranger to working with her hands and getting crafty with a tool. She comes from a family who immigrated to Canada and immersed themselves in the trades. Her father, a cement mason, was the person to ask for help with any trades-related needs. Although Rosa…
“In high school, I started grade twelve thinking I would go into kinesiology.” Sarah Raby is an athletic, hands-on woman. She grew up playing soccer and was always at her dad’s side when it was time to get in the shop and build something new. “I grew up going to the family cabin and was…
“It kept coming back to electrical.” Change is something that most of us crave periodically in our lives. Some changes can be more drastic than others, precisely what Stephanie Jang was searching for. She had been working in digital animation for years when she decided it was time to put the keyboard away and immerse…
It’s green, it’s clean… it’s the future. Electricity generated by the sun is the fastest growing renewable energy source worldwide, and Canadians are beginning to embrace this sustainable energy source with open arms. According to the Roadmap 2020: Powering Canada’s Future with Solar Electricity, CanSIA explains the rapid growth of electricity generated by the sun in…
“I always wanted to be a police officer.” Sandra Brynjolfson grew up with a dream of becoming a police officer. As a young adult, she lived in Vancouver, B.C. She spent a lot of her time volunteering at the Vancouver Police Department, victim services. After gaining some experience as a volunteer, she took a leap…
“I’ve done a heck of a lot of stuff. I’ve traveled the world, I’ve served in the military, graduated college, it’s been a heck of a journey, that’s for sure.” Gabriel Perron is the type of person who seizes each day and makes sure he lives life to the fullest. His passion for adventure is…
“I started with the EJTC four months after I graduated high school.” Rachel Cloutier is a bright, spunky, and athletic woman. From working in rec centers to performing gymnastics, being active has been a large part of Rachel’s life. “I worked at a recreation center managing rec programs, supervising open gyms, and running birthday parties.…
“I guess you could say I’ve had three careers.” Rene Dansereau is unquestionably a talented man and a jack of all trades. “I started as a stockbroker. I was trained in all financial instruments except for insurance. I traded bonds, mutual funds, stocks, everything! I did that for eleven years. Then, I was out in…
“I decided, what if I just flip everything on its head and go do something completely different.” Marcy Smith is a courageous, powerful force who makes what most people find intimidating and scary seem effortless and exciting. She worked in an office as a software developer on several different projects for almost 30 years. Alongside…
As a 3rd-year apprentice with the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC), Camille Cacnio enjoys working in a fun, positive environment and makes sure she is always prepared for the playful banter before each workday begins. She is a quick learner with a strong work ethic that she brings to every job site. Although Camille is…
Some people have an entrepreneurial mind from a young age – selling lemonade in the summers, early mornings on a newspaper route – and going into business as an adult seems like a no-brainer. But whatever the business, stats show many will fail within the first few years, because running a company is about far…
At its simplest, the word “success” is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim,” but somehow society has redefined success to suggest it’s defined by money or your position in life. But what if you’ve got that respected job with the great pay, and you dread work? Maybe success is about making a better choice…
When looking through lists for “family-friendly careers,” it’s clear everyone’s got a different idea of what makes a career great for parents. Many seem to think flexibility is the top consideration, but while that can be nice, there’s a lot to be said for careers with fixed hours, secure futures, and high pay. With that…
Tradespeople keep Canada running – from the electrical panels in every office building to new construction builds with cranes dotting the horizon. But as the workforce ages, the push is on to attract women to trades jobs traditionally filled by men, and that push comes from the top. With the Canadian government’s Apprentice Incentive Grant…
Visit any trades training program in Canada, and you’re almost certain to find at least one person who’s opted to swap their white-collar life for the blue collar. Why people change careers so drastically after investing so much in their education can be for any number of reasons but changing to the trades is a…
By Steffani Cameron Skilled trades in Canada have a critical shortage of workers, as older journeypersons stare down the retirement while job opportunities are booming. In fact, across Canada they expect nearly 170,000 trades jobs to open in just the next six years. At the fore are electricians, now critical to everything from home construction…
You might think that if you want to earn over $75,000 a year, you need an undergraduate degree and a pile of student debt, but you’d be wrong. If you’re open to a job in the trades, you can graduate debt-free with a high-paying job. Even better, with a national skilled trades shortage, you can…
