Retirement rates continue to rise in B.C.’s skilled trade sector, and the construction industry desperately needs to recruit and retain a diverse workforce now, more than ever. A recent look at the Labour Market Outlook predicts one million job openings within the next decade, and 83,000 are in the skilled trade sector. These high-demand jobs…
Tara Riordan used to be an Early Childhood Educator. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and thrived in that atmosphere. Although, when Covid came into effect, it took a toll on Tara, as it did for most, andeverything changed. Eventually, the school she worked at was shut down, and suddenly, she found herselfout of work for…
Ryan McKinnon was born to be an instructor. With a long line of instructors in his family, teaching seemed to be ingrained in him. “I knew I wanted to teach; it’s in my blood.” Currently, Ryan is an Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) instructor, teaching technical training at the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC). However,…
Sophie Bordeu is an incredibly talented and broadly skilled financial coordinator for the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC). She’s passionate about learning and gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible. In 2012 Sophie moved from a little town in the south of France to Canada, British Columbia. “Before moving to Canada, I was doing…
Neil Normandeau is a highly versatile man with many incredible skills and talents. His story does not start in the electrical trade; Neil’s story begins in aviation. Neil spent many years learning the aviation trade. He worked as an instructor pilot for a year and a half until reality set in. There wasn’t any movement,…
Joe Jordan is the teacher you’d want by your side to help walk you through a challenging class or subject. Along with bringing an overwhelming amount of knowledge and previous electrical trade experience, Joe incorporates fun and ease into his classroom. To lighten the mood after an intense day of learning, Joe sometimes brings his…
Jodi Huettner is a woman on a mission. With a passion for what’s right and just, Jodi is the driving force to have by your side throughout any difficulty. She started her journey in the trades as a junior engineer for an environmental consulting firm in British Columbia (BC). She worked along the Howe Sound,…
“In my last life, I was a letter carrier.” Becky Lupton is a smart and determined woman who has navigated her way through many different avenues before entering the electrical world. At the age of eight-teen, Becky’s interest was to become a plumber. However, her interest in the plumbing trade did not go as far…
“I love my job and I feel grateful that I’m doing it. If I can inspire other women to take this path, it would make me really happy!” Tateanna VanderWal is a passionate, hard-working, dedicated woman who understands the meaning of true grit. Her journey began as a painter. She rocked her baggy, paint-covered overalls…
Joseph Cardinal is a talented person with a powerful love for his Indigenous culture and the relationships he has fostered. He grew up in Alberta, grooming and training horses. After some time, Joseph was in search of a change of pace. He packed his bags and moved to Vancouver, BC, leading him to the Aboriginal…
“I was really thrilled to move into this position and work for an organization that really means something.” Karen Dearlove is a bright, talented, and passionate woman whose strong belief in helping others is evident in her role as a leader in the skilled trades. Karen is the Executive director of the BC Center for…
Canada’s trade industry is currently going through a transition crisis. The skilled labour shortage predicted for a decade has finally arrived in British Columbia’s construction sector. According to Build Force Canada, BC is anticipating the retirement of approximately 44,200 workers within the next decade. A recent survey done by an Employer Group shows that more…
Philip Davis’s knowledge, passion, and love for the electrical trade come from decades of experience. As a young man, Phil successfully ran his own painting company and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. At age 31, looking for a change, Phil decided to become an electrical apprentice. Within a few years, he completed his apprenticeship,…
Abigail’s love for the trade started at a very young age. She loved observing construction workers on the job and was the right-hand person to any industry worker who did maintenance on her childhood home. “Construction has always had a huge place in my heart. As a kid, I remember cheering on the dump truck…
“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.…
