Trade Winds to Success

Calgary, Alberta—If Tim had his way, you would have never seen his work. That is because he works as a first year apprentice in sprinkler fitting installing indoor sprinklers, which you would not see unless there is a fire. He was not always this successful. It was a strong gust called Trade Winds to Success Project that pushed him in the right direction.

“I didn’t do a lot with my life, but then I smartened up, the Trade Winds to Success Project gave me the opportunity to get my “foot in the door” into the union, into the company” Tim says. He adds “It’s a start,” and a very good one, providing him with the opportunity to learn math, science, English and computer skills and he is now an apprentice on his way to becoming a journeyman.

The foreman who hired Tim is pleased with his work and says that he will definitely be giving the chance to other participants from the Trade Winds to Success Program to work with the company.

The Trade Winds to Success Project is a Human Resources and Social Development Canada program designed to get Aboriginal people into the trades. The training‑to‑employment program offered by the Trade Winds to Success provides the opportunity for Aboriginal people to gain valuable employability skills by offering them life skills courses, academic upgrading to write the trades entrance exam level four, and eight weeks of union shop and hand skills training.

Once he becomes a journeyman, Tim will make close to 40 dollars an hour. “My family is proud of me,” and he is proud of himself for participating in the Program. In fact, he did so well that he recommended the Trade Winds to Success Program to his cousin who was planning to be a carpenter. Tim says that his cousin did try the program and she is now in the trade of her choice doing quite well.

Transcript

Tim – My name is Tim Willder. I’m working with Simplex-Grennell as a first-year apprentice in sprinkler fitting. Previous to this, I was an equipment operator. That was too hard on my back so I needed to get into something else. This particular job I got through the Trade Winds to Success program It’s an opportunity for Native people to get into the trades. What it gave me was, my “foot in the door” into the union, into the company; it gives me my start, it is what it does.

Employer – We hired Tim as a first-year apprentice, after he completed the Trade Winds program. He’s worked on a couple of different sites now, and … we’re hoping he’ll advance through his apprenticeship.  And I’ll definitely give some other people a chance to come though the program.

Tim – My cousin found out I was going through it, so she decided to try it as well and today she’s in her trade of choice which is carpentry. She seems to be doing quite well. I’ve got to go through my four years of apprenticeship and once I’m done my four years, I can become a Journeyman.