Chelsea Roy – From Mill Closure to Trades Success
How STEP Helped Chelsea Roy Start Fresh
When the mill in Fort St. John announced its permanent closure, one local worker saw an opportunity to finally pursue a long-time goal: starting a career in the trades., Although not experienced, Chelsea Roy was motivated and began searching online for guidance—where she discovered STEP.
“I didn’t have any trades background, but I’d always hoped to get into the trades through the union.” she said. “When the mill closed, I realized I needed to figure out how to get started on my own.”
Chelsea connected with Teresa from STEP, who quickly scheduled a phone call. “We had a long conversation about different options and some of the obstacles I was imagining. Teresa was really encouraging and helped me see that there were more paths than I thought.”
That initial call led to an in-person meeting, where they explored schooling options, direct-entry trades pathways, and what she’d need to get into oil and gas. Since Fort St. John doesn’t have a local trades program, STEP provided personalized advice on where to go for training and how to access financial supports.
“My experience with STEP was amazing,” Chelsea emphasized. “Teresa was so supportive and kind. She gave me great information about grants, programs, and how to approach this transition—even as someone new to the trades, at my age, and as a woman entering the field.”
The result? A much faster job start than she expected.
“By the time I left the STEP office, I already had a text from Ace Instruments arranging an interview for the following Monday. That same day, I had another interview lined up too. Ace offered me a job after the interview, and I accepted right away. It was going even better than I hoped.”
Now working with a well-established local company, Chelsea’s receiving daily mentorship and growing in confidence.
“I’m learning so much and have a lot of support from the journeymen and management. I’m so glad I found STEP—it made the whole process less scary and helped me get started faster than I ever imagined. I’d absolutely recommend STEP to anyone thinking about trades.”
Ready to Advance Your Construction Career?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your construction career, STEP can connect you with the resources and opportunities to succeed. Learn more about how STEP can support your journey by visiting STEP’s website.
