Jamie McMillan
Mediaplanet: What does mentorship mean to you and why did you become a mentor?
Jamie MacMillan: When I think of high school I think of a stressful time when everyone was telling me I had to go to college or university to be successful. With thousands of careers to choose from it was overwhelming to decided what I wanted to pursue for a lifelong pathway. What if I didn’t like it, couldn’t find a job or failed? Unfortunately, I’d never heard about apprenticeship and the opportunity to earn while learning a hands on career. That lack of information lead me down many convoluted pathways exploring and pursuing dead end jobs that were unsatisfying. I was bored and discouraged.
Once discovering the trades my life changed. I discovered how job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment could make all the difference in my own mental, emotional and physical state. Understanding the looming skilled labour gap and the dire need for recruitment and retention I became extremely passionate about educating youth, especially young women about rewarding hands on careers, apprenticeship and the importance of infrastructure. Skilled trades improved my life significantly and I know it can do the same for so many others.
Mandy Rennehan
Mediaplanet: What does mentorship mean to you and why did you become a mentor?
Mandy Rennehan: Mentorship was a term until the last 5 years I really didn’t understand and to be honest after learning about it never applied to me, however after looking back I realized I wasn’t wired like the majority of the population, I was self propelled in a way only my actions could describe.
After building a successful company against all the odds , I soon recognized the industry was majorly imbalanced and the diversity of women would help the industry become more innovative , inclusive , transparent and detailed in a way that only females think and work and so women already being at a disadvantage I wanted to show, how they fit in, why it’s important they’ve picked this industry as a career and they are setting the ground work as a massive role model.
Sharon Knee Chong
Mediaplanet: What sparked your interest in trades and what are you doing now?
Sharon Knee Chong: When I bought my first home, I started poring over home decor blogs. I kept coming across a female carpenter called Ana White, whose website inspired me to start building furniture. My husband was sceptical, but supportive. Thinking it was just a phase, he bought me what he considered to be the least intimidating of all the saws- a jigsaw. With that little jigsaw I built an entire desk, complete with mitered legs and a drawer. It was far from perfect, but I was hooked! I was also helping a friend with his home renovations during this time, and I learned so much about construction through him.
Back then I was working as a genetic counsellor, which I loved, but I realised my true passion lay in carpentry. I decided to try a career change and applied to the Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program in Burlington.
Right after I graduated, I landed a job as a millwork shop technician at Freshco Retail Maintenance (not the grocery store!), where we build kitchen cabinets and complete other projects for various well-known companies.
I have no regrets; I love that I get to be creative and work with my hands every day.
What does mentorship mean to you and how has it been helpful in your own career so far?
Mentorship is a relationship in which an experienced adviser takes a mentee under their wing with the goal of guiding them and helping them increase their skill set and personal development. I’ve been fortunate to have had wonderful mentors along the way who have not only taught me new skills and the best practises in carpentry, but whose constant encouragement and support has helped me to gain confidence as a woman working in a male-dominated field.
What advice would you give for other women who are either already in the industry or are interested in pursuing trades?
There are many reasons why women typically don’t consider a career in the trades. We have to fight so many stigmas, such as: it’s a “man’s job”, you have to be really strong, the trades are for those who can’t get into university, and you’ll have to battle sexism regularly. These aren’t necessarily true. While it can be very physical, other attributes are just as important such as attention to detail, dexterity, and good hand-eye coordination.
As someone who went to university, I can honestly say that working in the trades requires just as much intellect. For example, you need to have good math skills, a good understanding of the building code, the ability to read blueprints, be knowledgeable about the qualities of various materials, and have the ability to constantly problem-solve. I have also found that most men are actually very encouraging and supportive of women in the trades, and appreciate the different dynamics that women bring to the job site.
Any other lessons or stories you think will inspire readers?
There is a significant shortage of skilled workers in Canada. Many people who are currently working in the trades are starting to approach retirement age, while young people are increasingly being pushed to pursue higher levels of education and discouraged from entering the trades. Meanwhile, those with an education are struggling to find related work yet have to somehow pay off the student debt they incurred. This huge disconnect makes now the perfect time to explore a career in the trades.
Deanne Durant
Mediaplanet: What sparked your interest in trades and what are you doing now?
Deanne Durant: I was looking at different career paths and I have always been fascinated by electricity. I realized that sitting at a desk all day may not be for me and I always loved to work with my hands. I love to be able to see how much I accomplished in a day and I also love helping people. I also love to prove to people that the trades are not a gender specific career path.
I am currently attending Conestoga College for their Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial program. After college I intend to get signed on as an apprentice and eventually become a fully licenced electrician.
What does mentorship mean to you and how has it been helpful in your own career so far?
Mentorship means helping others achieve their goals by example. To inspire someone or help them achieve their goals. It is the showing of support and letting others know that they are not alone. I am fortunate to have multiple amazing mentors in my life; they have all effected my life in one way or another. I would not be the person I am today without them.
What advice would you give for other women who are either already in the industry or are interested in pursuing trades?
The advice I would give to women already in the trades is to stay true to yourself and don’t lose what makes you, you. If you like your feminine side, don’t hide it to please others, within reason. People will disagree with you and your role in the trades, some will tell you that you must change to be considered one of the guys or more like the guys. Stand up for yourself, you work hard to be where you are, you deserve to be there.
The advice I would give women interested in joining the trades is that it’s never to late and that women can do it too. The trades are an amazing career path and it is very rewarding. For high school and younger aged ladies, take a shop class if possible. You learn everyday while working and it can be very fun.
Brianne McKee
Mediaplanet: What sparked your interest in the trades and what are you doing now?
Brianne McKee: Before I began my journey in the trades, I was bartending at a restaurant, had gone to school for Business and Event Management and wondering what I was going to do with my life. Being a bartender, I met a lot of people daily. One particular man would come in everyday to sit after a long day of work to have a glass of wine and go home. I got to know this man very well.
One day he decided he wanted to redo his house and asked if I could just paint the walls and I said yes. A girl who I also worked with and became good friends with had just finished redoing her house with her husband so had an understanding of renovations. It went from painting the house to the two of us completely redoing every room in his house. From that moment and job is when I knew this was something I wanted to do. I then heard about the WIST program at Conestoga College through a family friend who had a daughter who also took the program. Took the program and met Mandy when she came in to speak to our class and applied for a job. Now I’m working in the millshop for Freshco building cabinets, store fixtures, and furniture items for companies like Home Depot and Apple and loving it!
What does mentorship mean to you and how has it been helpful in your own career so far?
Mentorship means getting the training you need with someone who has worked and has experience in the field. They have a passion in it and are eager to pass their knowledge on to you so you can improve your own skills. Having a mentor is someone you can trust and can go to for help and you can rely on. If I didn’t have a mentor helping me through my journey here, it would have been difficult. Freshco prides themselves on encouraging women to seek careers in the skilled trades and helping them receive training to find success and fulfilment in the field. Working for a company like them helped gain my confidence and not worrying about being judged on jobs because of my gender.
What advice would you give for other women who are either already in the industry or are interested in pursuing trades?
Any women interested in pursuing the trades, I’d say just do it. Go for it if it’s something you are interested in doing. Don’t let stereotypes or the opinions of people who don’t matter influence your decision and how you want to live your life. For women who are already in the industry, good for you, keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully other women see that we can be successful in the industry. There are companies out there, just like Frescho who don’t discriminate based on gender and encourage women to join their team. So anyone looking for a job… 😉
Any other lessons or stories you think will inspire readers?
Some people don’t know what they want to do with their lives even when they’re older. Just be patient and it will come to you. I didn’t know what I wanted to do either. This path came to me randomly and if I didn’t go through the series of events that I did in my life, I wouldn’t be here now. If I didn’t go to school for Business, I wouldn’t have gotten into the Event Management program. If I didn’t take the Event Management program, I wouldn’t have gotten the job as a bartender. If I didn’t get that job, then I wouldn’t have met the people I did that inspired me to want to be in this field and if that didn’t happen then I wouldn’t have gone to the WIST program, and I wouldn’t have met Mandy who made me want to work for her and Freshco and met all the lovely people that I work with. So if you’re not sure about what you want to be doing, just be patient. Something you thought you’d never be doing, could happen.
Mackenzie Gillan
Mediaplanet: What sparked your interest in trades and what are you doing now?
Mackenzie Gillan: I realized towards the end of my highschool career that going to university was not the right pathway for me. At the time I was considering pursuing a career as a first responder, but my father told me to consider a career in the skilled trades. My father really wanted me to become a plumber, as he needed one for the house. I started doing some research on careers in the skilled trades and first responding.
While doing this I stumbled across a program called “Powerline technician”. I had never heard of it before and continued to do more research. I loved all of the components of the trade and applied to all the colleges offering the program in Ontario. I got accepted to Conestoga College starting that Fall. My parents were not too happy with the idea of their daughter becoming a powerline technician (lineman) at first. But after proving to them that I love the field and have what it takes, my parents are 100% supportive of my decision.
What does mentorship mean to you and how has it been helpful in your own career so far?
Mentorship to me means having someone to look up to and guide you along your journey. My mentors have been a huge part in helping me get to where I am now. As I hadn’t really taken shop classes in highschool, and didn’t even know the powerline technician trade existed a few months prior to starting college; I relied heavily on the guidance of my mentors. Groups like Women of Powerline Technician and WiRE showed me that women can make it in the industry. Jamie McMillan of KickAss careers pushed me to not give in to those who told me I didn’t belong in the field. Also my instructors at Conestoga college went above and beyond the role of a college professor. My instructors helped me with everything from improving my techniques in the field, advice with what pathways to follow, understanding the theoretical and safety aspects of the trade, and earning a co-op with Toronto Hydro and an apprenticeship with Hydro One. I am very grateful for everything my mentors have helped me with.
What advice would you give to other women who are either already in the industry or are interested in pursuing trades?
For anyone interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, be ready to work for it. Starting off in a new trade, you won’t be the most knowledgeable person on the crew. That is no excuse as to why you can’t be the hardest worker. Show up everyday early and ready to learn, ask questions (especially when it comes to your safety), ask for help when you need it, keep your workspace clean and organized, learn the names and purposes of the tools and materials you that you are using, and always keep a pocket knife and a roll of electrical tape in your pocket. By consistently doing the small things well, big things will happen.
Any other lessons or stories you think will inspire readers?
Never make excuses as to why you can’t do something. If you want something bad enough and are willing to work for it, you will make it happen.
