tradejourney

[tradejourney]

Learning Partner Call Summary

I had a great chat with my learning partner. We talked on the phone for 25 minutes! We are both trades workers so we have a lot in common. We are both looking to expand our personal knowledge base with the thought of enhancing our careers. That is why we are both signed up for this course. My partner pointed out that "vendor specific training" is a trend in the trades. This implies "adult education" is required to keep up to current industry standards. Just because a person has achieved a trades certification does not mean a person can sit back and coast. It's important to keep your skills and learning current.

We talked about trends in our industries. We both agree that evolving technology is affecting our trades. His trade deals with mobile heavy equipment and my trade deals with stationary heavy equipment. Remote electronic equipment monitoring (Telematics) is of interest to my learning partner. I deal more with monitoring stationary equipment.

Check out my Learning Partner's Blog!

My learning partner is a great guy and I wish him all the best in his future career endeavors.

[tradejourney]

Trends In Adult Education

Did you know that more than 222,000 Red Seal journey persons are needed in Canada over the next 4 years? There are 300 designated trades to choose from in Canada. 54 of those trades are Red Seal trades. Choosing to pursue an education in a trade is a great idea. In British Columbia (BC) last year the average age of people participating in a trades apprenticeship was 30 years old. The median hourly wage across B.C. was $40.00. Many Adults are choosing trades education due to lower cost associated with schooling and flexibility. You can make $$$ while you are completing your education. Trades people are essential to building a green economy and a sustainable future.

There's a couple of cool surveys you can do on the following site to see where you might fit in with an education in the trades.

[tradejourney]

Trends In The Millwright Trade

We all have our opinions about technology. The truth is there are pros and cons with utilizing tech. Technology is being introduced into the Mechanical Trades in so many new and innovative ways. Tech is being utilized to improve maintenance programs, increase machine-monitoring to detect problems earlier, ensure extremely accurate alignments etc. Robotic technology is rapidly advancing! Adapting to these new techs can prove challenging, but in my opinion the benefits are worth the challenge. Don't be afraid to learn new things when it comes to the tech being offered in the mechanical trade. Just because "It's the way we've always done it" does not mean it is the best way. I am looking into robotics training as a means to improve my knowledge so I can keep pace with a rapidly changing industry. I need to keep up to date, so I can pass on knowledge to a future generation of Millwrights. I'm a Lifelong Learner.

[tradejourney]

Youth Train in Trades

I am definitely a proponent of High School students choosing a career in the Trades. You can earn high school credits and work towards obtaining a Red Seal certification all while still in high school. How cool would it be to say, "I'm a level 2 tradesperson" on high school graduation day? Whether millwright, carpentry, electrical, automotive mechanic, cook, hairstylist, plumber, esthetician, HD mechanic... the list goes on. There are so many paths to choose from! Why not get a jump start on your life career? Check out this link to SkilledTradesBC.

[tradejourney]

Welcome to my blog. I'm going to be sharing highlights and experiences as I continue my life journey.

My name is Chris. I'm a Trades Instructor at the Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek, BC. I am currently Instructing the Millwright Foundations Program. I started at NLC as a Youth Explore Trades Instructor. I've been employed here for three years and can say I really enjoy working here.

I started my career early in life as a Carpenter, obtaining my Red Seal in my early 20's. I was privileged to be able to apprentice under my Grandfather, who taught me so much, not just about construction, but life in general. He is one of my heroes. (He stood as one of my groomsmen at my wedding)

I became interested in Millwrighting at a later stage in life. I was employed at a pulp mill as the resident Carpenter. There is only so much for a carpenter to do at a pulp mill, so I would help the millwrights with their work. I found that I enjoyed this work, so began to pursue the training required to become a Millwright. I obtained my Red Seal as a Millwright about seven years ago. (Coincidentally, another one of my heroes is a Millwright-my Dad)

As I worked as a millwright I began to feel dissatisfied with my dealings with inanimate objects. (machinery, grease and dirt) I realized I wanted to have more dealings with people and be able to share my experience and life with others. I saw a posting at the NLC for a YETs Instructor and applied. Now I'm at this point in my career journey-I'm working towards obtaining my "Professional Instructor Diploma".

My lovely wife of 17 years and my 3 beautiful daughters have been supporting me all along. I love living and sharing my life journey with them. They are my inspiration for living life to its fullest.

The best is yet to come...