Trade Winds to Success Program is the program that helped me get started with my career as an Reinforcing Ironworker.

I started Trade Winds on August 21, 2017 and completed 4 months later, on November 24, 2017.

Once completed I started working as a first year apprentice with Bar Placers Inc. through the Ironworkers Local 725, on November 27, 2017 and have been working with them ever since.

My wage started out as a first year rate at $21.62/hr but I now make equivalent to a fourth year apprentice in my 2nd year. I plan to become a foreman as soon as possible. I also completed by first year at SAIT this past January and plan to finish my 2 year apprenticeship as a Reinforcing Ironworker next year to become a Journeyman Red Seal Reinforcing Ironworker.

Previous to Trade Winds to Success, I worked mostly as repair construction, roofing, utility construction, warehouse work and pipelining as a laborer but now I can work on an apprenticeship and get paid for what I am worth as an Reinforcing Ironworker.

I have had the opportunity to work downtown in the new construction area of West Village on the rental/condo buildings and many other job sites in and around Calgary.

I have some goals which I am achieving, such as paying off all my debts, becoming more independent and becoming a Journeyman Red Seal in the next year. I also want to travel more overseas, which I just came back from Thailand which was a dream come true.

Trade Winds helped me all the way through with these goals and allowed me to see them, at least seem possible. It’s all up to us to make it happen and with all the help provided it was like a walk in the park. Thank you Trade Winds to Success!