Anthony G.

Anthony is a 38-year-old member of the Fort McKay First Nation. He is engaged to Ashley, and together they parent three children, a dog, and two cats.

Anthony applied to Trade Winds’ Iron Worker Pre-Employment Training Program after finding out about it on the Internet. He had wanted to become involved in a trade for some time, and was impressed by what they had to offer.

“I found out that I met Trade Winds’ criteria, and so I took the entrance exam, and that’s how it all started,” he shares.

“After I cleared the entrance exam, I reached out to the Employment and Training office at our Fort McKay First Nation. Since I was going to be in full time school for approximately 2 months I needed some financial support. After the initial assessment, the Employment Counselor prepared a contract and assured me that I would receive a living allowance to support me and my family during my training. I received a monthly allowance for living expenses, bus fare and groceries. After my course ended in late September I was given an extra month of living allowance until I was able to secure employment. I am grateful for the support that I received from the ISETS program and my band.”

According to Anthony, a typical day at Trade Winds is like any other school, except at Tradewinds students have the option to be smudged almost every day. Everything in the first two weeks related to the Indigenous peoples’ ways, he says. “I found everything to be very interesting in the first two weeks of in-class sessions,” says Anthony. “There was a different speaker every day, from spiritual leaders to tradesmen, and other people who took the same course.”

One person in particular made an impact on Anthony: a woman named Shirley. Shirley was the person who offered smudging at Trade Winds, and she spoke about her past experiences and struggles that she had overcome. Anthony found this very inspiring.

“She was a very spiritual person with a lot of knowledge,” Anthony reflects. “I enjoyed her session the most.”

The Iron Worker Pre-Employment students did a two week introduction, four weeks of schooling for the pre-trades entrance exam, and a final six weeks at the training centre. Anthony passed the entrance exam with an impressive 90%.

“I passed the training course, and immediately found work through the Local 720 Ironworkers union, and I have been working ever since,” says Anthony. “I am now an official member of the Union, making Second Year wage.”

Anthony is very thankful that he found Trade Winds and for the support of the ISETS office in Fort McKay, sharing that they helped him in so many ways, especially employment-wise. He accomplished his goal of becoming involved in the trades, and is proud to say that he is a member of the Local 720 Union.

When asked what he would tell someone who is thinking about taking a Trade Winds Program and the ISETS program, here’s what Anthony said: “I would very much encourage anyone who is thinking about getting into the trades to go through a Trade Winds program, and reach out to your local ISETS office. They helped me spiritually, mentally, and of course financially now that I am in the trades and working.”

Service Canada-Indigenous Skill Employment and Training (ISET) supported this client though Fort McKay First Nation ISETS Department.