Welder – Crysta Wilson
Trade: Welder
Employer: SCS Steel Container Systems Inc.
Location: Nanaimo, BC
It’s break time – 9:30 AM – and the crew files out of the warehouse building on the SCS Steel Container Systems Inc. property in Nanaimo, BC. Crysta Wilson flips her welding helmet up as she walks out, below the bold welding shop sign, talking with a co-worker and making her way to the office trailer.
SCS is a Canadian owned and operated manufacturer, providing a full range of steel container products including roll off containers, recycling containers, scrap containers, and more. The company has been operating for over 30 years. Crysta has been employed as a welder for a couple months, but it didn’t take the company or Crysta long to learn the fit was very right.
AJ Hustins, General Manager of SCS Steel Container Systems, with welder and STEP participant, Crysta Wilson.
“We pride ourselves on productivity – it’s a tough group to get into. A good attitude and good work ethic are a big part of what we look for. Crysta’s doing a great job,” says AJ Hustins, General Manager of SCS.
Tradespeople have different stories to tell when it comes to their paths to skilled trades careers. Crysta’s starts with a trades sampler course where welding stood out as the winning trade choice for her.
“Welding has this component to it where it’s a physical skill – you’re learning how to master a craft. That’s what drew me towards it,” says Crysta.
Navigating the industry’s realities and rumours was another story. As a woman in the trades, Crysta heard about the challenges that she may face with an old school mentality. She also understood that welding work on Vancouver Island was very competitive, and job opportunities less available. The STEP team on Vancouver Island has noticed (as of the date of this post) that welding has become a very competitive trade in the region. Crysta stayed motivated and soon discovered these concerns were not her reality.
“I came in and handed my resume to AJ. He was like, ‘So, show up Tuesday!’ I was really happy with that,” says Crysta. “Coming into this atmosphere, people were so nice and supportive. No one really looks down on you, that you’re not capable. They’re really great about it.”
Welder and STEP participant, Crysta Wilson, with her co-worker at SCS Steel Container Systems in Nanaimo, BC.
Before Crysta stepped into the SCS office to pass along her resume, she reached out to the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP).
“I went to university in Kamloops and I learned about STEP through my university. Because it’s a program that works with individual people, I didn’t get in touch until I moved to the island so the REPS here would have a relationship with me and help me find a job,” says Crysta.
STEP’s Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) Kelsey Botting provided Crysta with feedback on her resume along with interview tips and financial support for tools such as a leveling square, clamps, and a grinder. “The basic welding stuff that you don’t really think about until you go to work!” says Crysta.
“STEP really gave me the opportunity to go out and look for work. Coming out of school, I was nervous. It gave me confidence. Kelsey helped me go over my resume and made a list of places to go look at. Once I got the job, she made sure I had everything I needed to do the job competently,” says Crysta.
Welder and STEP participant, Crysta Wilson, working in Nanaimo, BC at SCS Steel Container Systems.
The work days at SCS are scheduled. Everything from the break period, emergency drill tests to all the projects in the shop cells have scheduled minutes. Productivity is strong and expectations are clear.
“One of the things I tell young people: we’re going to ask you to do some things you’re not trained to do. For Crysta Wilson, what she’s doing for us right now in the different cells, it’s mostly welding. She’s running from small parts to bins to components to doing assembly. She’s getting a lot of really, really good experience,” says AJ.
And it shows. Crysta is learning new skills to master her craft every day.
“My strength is my willingness to learn and the effort I put in. Right now, it’s not my physical skills, but I show up and I’m willing to learn,” says Crysta.
And just like that, the break’s over. It’s time to go back to the welding shop.
Interested in a career in the skilled trades? Connect with a STEP Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) today.
Related:
Welder – Crystine Czerwinski
Carpenter – Jamie Dickinson
Apprentices & Cell Phones: To use or not to use?
The STEP team has something to say.
Earlier last year, The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum – Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) released its report on The Impact of Digital Technologies, Automation and Technological Change: Apprentice Perspectives.
Findings from the report were collected through survey results (online or in writing). Respondents came from all regions of Canada, the majority being Ontario and British Columbia.
Some of the survey questions looked to understand how a Smartphone is used by specific trades. Some results could be expected, such as 77% of respondents who identified as apprentices in the Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Pipefitter and Steamfitter trades stating they use their phones to find directions to the worksite. More interesting results showed those same trades ranking high when stating they look up codes and regulations on their phones or when looking to record work to show a supervisor. When asked if they used a Smartphone for diagnostic processes or finding user manuals/fault codes, respondents within those trades said they were less likely to reach for their phones.
Times are changing for the construction industry and its use of technology. In the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum report, there was talk about specific apps and how these may assist apprenticeship training. The practical questions still stand: Should apprentices be reaching for their Smartphones while working? Should that be stopped? Should that be encouraged?
Yes, technology can help make all kinds of work easier and faster, but it can also cause distraction and the fear of it slowly replacing essential, in-person training is real.
As STEP continues to work with youth-focused groups and continues be a strong advocate for apprenticeship training, ensuring development and growth within the BC construction industry, the team gives advice daily from cell phone use to resume writing tips and career coaching. Our Regional Employment Placement Specialists know the construction industry, how it has worked and how it’s working now. Here’s what the team had to say about apprentices with cell phones on the job:
“I always advise a participant to check with their employer about cell phone usage onsite. I recommend participants use their Smartphones for notes, calendars, maps/navigation. I talk to participants about technology being an essential skill in the workplace and always recommend upgrading if someone is lacking in digital literacy skills.”
– Sharon Miller, Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) in Kelowna“Typically, I advise participants to leave their phones in their cars, unless their employer requests they have their phones on hand during work hours. Many employers do not tolerate a phone on the job site, siting safety concerns. Personal phone usage is for break time.”
– David Croteau, Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) in Kelowna“When I was working in the industry, I actually liked workers having their phones on them. They had my number and I had most of theirs. It made communicating much easier. I also had apps on my phone for rules and regulations to help me do my job effectively. In my role now, I advise participants to stay off their phones and don’t recommend using it over talking with a more experienced worker. They will learn what is acceptable with their employer as they go.”
– Andraya Samborski, Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) in Abbotsford“I have heard of employers getting their employees to use smartphones to track hours worked etc., and many of the job postings I see will say “Must have smartphone”. Using smartphones when you have been directed by the employer is fine. I would be concerned if any of my participants relied on YouTube or a Google search instead of asking a journeyperson on site. Codes/rules/regulations/etc. can differ greatly from place to place and this could certainly create issues. Too many people are quick to text or Google and avoid having an actual conversation with someone. There’s real value in asking someone to show you how to do something as you can ask more questions along the way and get direction as needed. When a more experienced worker teaches someone how to do a task, that more experienced worker will likely inspect the work that is done to ensure it’s correct. That’s important. I’ve had more than a few employers express their frustration with young workers and the fact that they “are always on their phones!”. I still advise participants to keep their phones in car. Texting, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc. can wait until their break or when they’re done for the day.”
– Kyle Maggs, Regional Employment Placement Specialist (REPS) in Vancouver
Related:
Apprentice Electricians – Brett Halston and Joshua Pavlakovic
Carpenter – Jamie Dickinson
