Discover the Success Stories

From bakers to welders, secondary students put their skills to the test in the South Vancouver Island Skills Canada BC Regional competition with a chance to advance to the provincial stage.

When the pandemic disrupted her plans to pursue fashion design, Morgan made a shift into the trades and is now thriving as a certified architectural sheet metal worker.  

From a young age, Ryan Kaetler had a clear vision of going into the skilled trades. Inspired by his family and his enjoyment for working on projects whether at his shop at home or at work, he is now living out his dream as a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician apprentice.

Niri Sohpaul was gainfully working as a Power Engineer but felt like she needed some specialized skills to reach her goals – so she decided to pursue a skilled trades certification. She completed her Plumbing apprenticeship under the watchful guidance of her father and together they operate 2G Mechanical. 

Natasha Hanson was making a decent living as a lifeguard, but felt the pull to explore something new. She recently completed her Level 1 technical training and is thriving as an electrician apprentice. 

When Elizabeth Moses describes sheet metal work – her eyes light up and you can hear in her voice how excited and curious she is about her trade. She is passionate about inspiring more women and underrepresented groups to explore a career in the skilled trades, and building a more diverse, inclusive workforce.  

Meet Jessica, a Red Seal Metal Fabricator. From a flat sheet of metal to a vessel ready for the water, her work showcases the craftsmanship and pride that comes with mastering her trade.

With the guidance of instructors, students build and deliver commissioned projects for the community, while completing their Level 1 technical training before graduation.

This program has been running successfully for decades, providing a fully-funded head start to aspiring young carpenters in launching their apprenticeships and advancing their careers.

Through the Youth Train in Trades Program, Maya Diamond began her journey into carpentry, inspired by working on projects with her dad growing up.