British Columbia is on the verge of a major development boom fuelled by new projects in the oil and gas, mining, construction, shipbuilding and transportation industries, say industry specialists.

According to Sandra Hogan, apprenticeship coordinator at Victoria Shipyards, employers can help prepare for future demands by sponsoring more women apprentices, traditionally an under-represented population in the skilled trades which has been rapidly increasing. 

“We currently employ 77 apprentices at the shipyards—seven are women and we plan to add more,” she says. Hogan recently hired 22-year-old Mila Puharich as a metal fabricator apprentice. 

Puharich is the first woman metal fabricator at the facility, a position she secured after completing a trades exploration program offered at Camosun College through the Women in Trades Training (WITT) initiative. 

WITT connects unemployed or low-skilled women to funded training opportunities across the province. It is overseen by the Industry Training Authority, the provincial crown agency that manages B.C.'s industry training and apprenticeship system, and is funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.

Hogan was impressed with the calibre of Puharich's training and knew she'd be the perfect fit. “Mila was prepared with all the skills we were looking for—we were confident in her abilities and saw it as a smart investment to sponsor her.”

Puharich credits the training program for her current success. “The program gave me the financial support and guidance I needed to pursue my career,” she says. “I've always wanted to work with my hands and now I'm developing a transferrable skill I can use for the rest of my life.” 

Puharich plans to one day become a certified tradesperson. She can't wait to see where her career will go and encourages other women to explore a career in this field. “Working in the trades might be hard but it's also incredibly rewarding.”

One way employers can prepare for this labour shortage is by hiring more skilled immigrants and apprentices, says Dave Cummings, the foreman at Systems Mechanical, a local construction company that employs more than 35 tradespeople and apprentices, some of whom are skilled immigrants.

“With more skilled workers retiring, apprentices and skilled immigrants are invaluable to our company's future,” he says. “Many skilled immigrants already have the right work experience and training, and just need Canadian certification – we know they can get the job done.”

As foreman, Cummings recently started working with Vasile Covaza, a plumber apprentice from Romania. 

Covaza, 45, had construction experience before moving to Canada, but struggled to find work in B.C. His search for an English course led him to the Immigrants in Trades Training program offered through Diversecity Community Resources Society. 

The program helped Covaza develop a resume and find a job in the plumbing industry. Now a registered apprentice in his third year of training, Covaza plans to become a Red Seal certified plumber.

While Cummings is relieved to have a skilled employee he can count on, Covaza says he is happy to finally work at a job he loves. He offers this piece of advice for other people in his situation: “The trades are a rewarding career choice. Find a resource to help you and don't give up.”

Ardalan Fard, general manager at Archway Construction, believes employers can solve B.C.'s labour demands by hiring more skilled immigrants. 

“I immigrated to Canada and remember how hard I worked,” says Fard. “I know that many immigrants already have valuable work experience and training, but they just need Canadian certification.” 

Out of Fard's 27 employees, seven are apprentices and many are skilled immigrants. 

Fard recently hired Jun Sung Moon as a carpenter apprentice. Moon, 34, had moved from South Korea to pursue a career in interior design. 

Struggling to have his work experience recognized, Moon entered the Skilled Trades Employment Program and found he had a natural aptitude for carpentry. 

The program, which is managed by the B.C. Construction Association and funded by the Immigrants in Trades Training initiative, introduced Moon to Archway Construction. After a trial shift, he was hired full-time.

“When we hired Jun, he had all the right skills and just needed Canadian experience,” Fard recalls. “Hiring him was a great investment.”

Now a registered apprentice, Jun says he hopes to become a certified carpenter. He offers this piece of advice for other immigrants interested in the trades: “Work hard, and don't be afraid to ask for help – it's there if you need it.”

– newscanada.com