LNG Canada designed YOUR PLACE to attract more women to the construction trades.
The first scheduled training session of YOUR PLACE began November 12 and finished December 6. The first 12 participants were from the local area, with 25% of participants self-identifying as Indigenous women.
From training in the proper use of basic general worksite tools and equipment, to basic blueprint reading, trades math and science, hazard assessment, and more, women are introduced and prepared to work in an entry-level position with JGC Fluor or one of their subcontractors.
Graduates also come with a variety of safety tickets, including Occupational First Aid Level 1, CSTS09, WHMIS, Basic Rigging and Fall Protection.
Kya Teneychke, a participant in the first YOUR PLACE training, says she had been interested in the trades for a very long time. “I just…never really had the opportunity to go for it, especially coming from a single mom who couldn’t really afford to put me in school right away. And I didn’t really feel like it was the right time for me to go to school.”
When Kya thinks about her future, she says, “I feel like it’s going to be very bright only because I get this opportunity. I cannot wait to see all of us keep going in our careers.” She adds, “my grandma is ecstatic that I’m in this program. She’s so incredibly proud. I didn’t even think I was going to be here. But I’m sitting here and I’m so excited and so grateful.”
If Kya is just starting out in her career, Starla Penner is looking at YOUR PLACE as an opportunity to trade in her responsibilities of a stay-at-home mom for the past decade, with the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. Married with five children between the ages of seven to 16, Starla heard about YOUR PLACE through Facebook.
Starla says what many women think about a career in the trades. “It’s scary thinking as a woman going into a field that is male dominated. But everybody that I talk to about LNG Canada says if you’re going to start somewhere, this is the best place to start because they push for safety and equality and everybody being a family. And that just sounds like a work atmosphere that I want to be a part of.”
I want my kids to see that they can do anything at any age. I want them to be proud of me. I want to be proud of myself.
Elise Borgens
“When I told my kids about this program, I expected them to not be supportive, not in a bad way, but in a kid way, because they’re very used to me being at home…They actually all surprised me. They said, “Mom, this is super cool.” And through the whole application process, they were asking, “How did it go? Did you get in? Have you heard yet?” It’s a little bit of an adjustment at home, but daddy is picking up the slack really well. And the kids are actually enjoying making their own school lunches, which is a big win. And it’s just kind of fun coming home at the end of the day and they’re excited to hear how my day was.”
Jamie Holyk’s was looking for a career change. With a background working in the field of mental health for the past four years, she felt she was ready for a change. “That type of work definitely takes a toll,” she says. “And I wanted more of a career. I wanted something that could support my partner going to school…So it was more for myself to better myself career wise.”
Elise Borgens lives in Kitimat with her husband and three children between the ages of two and 12. She says she moved to Kitimat almost two years ago from Victoria after she and her husband quit their jobs and relocated seeking new opportunity.
“I am so excited for this opportunity. It’s so far out of my comfort zone, but I’ve worked jobs for 16 years and I want a career. I want to support my kids for the rest of their lives. And that’s how I think I’m going to get it,” says Elise.
“I see this bringing security for my future. I want my kids to see that they can do anything at any age. I want them to be proud of me. I want to be proud of myself.”
