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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Careers in the Skilled Trades
Q&A
With Leading Voices in Canada's Skilled Trades MANDY RENNEHAN Mandy Rennehan discusses her early career in construction, the motivation behind her company, and the critical need for skilled trades in today's economy. Mandy Rennehan CEO and Founder of Freshco.ca, HGTV Host, Designer & Contractor
What are your thoughts on the current demand for skilled trades in Canada? I wish the appropriate people had listened when I was sounding the alarm 20 years ago. We find ourselves in a very acute situation from an economic perspective, because of the shortage we are experiencing. With all the work that’s been done in the last couple years in various levels of government and the private sector, I am hopeful with the data being provided currently, that the Gen Z generation will be the next “Tool belt generation” and they see the multitudes of opportunities.
THE CONSTRUCTION LIFE The Construction Life discusses the evolving culture in skilled trades, offering candid advice and highlighting the character-building nature of construction work. What was your biggest challenge when entering the field and what helped you to overcome it? Clients are both the worst and best part of the process. Every skilled tradesperson will experience being taken advantage of by a client at some point, whether it’s a homeowner, an employer, the government, or anyone who holds your income hostage. The best way to avoid these situations is to minimize your financial risk and step away once you have completed the agreed-upon scope of work. Never fall into the trap of thinking that homeowners, employers, or the government will always have your best interests at heart — they rarely do.
Manny Neves Construction Expert & Host of The Construction Life
GARY MCCREADIE Gary McCreadie’s advice for aspiring HVAC technicians: stay curious, keep learning, and help others in the trade. His HVAC Know It All platform highlights the best parts of the industry. Gary McCreadie Business Owner & Creator of HVAC Know It All
The brand HVAC Know it All was created to spread some positivity in the online HVAC support community. What’s been the most rewarding experience through your journey? Running HVAC Know It All has had many rewards. Working alongside manufacturers to test new tools and create content about them keeps me on my toes as far as the industry's direction. It's also been a great platform to educate myself, as well as my audience, that is also interested in new, tools, methods and upcoming trends. It's great to get messages from younger folks in the trade telling me that my videos, articles, and podcasts have helped them.
JESSICA BANNISTER Jessica Bannister shares why HVAC is a great career: job security, good pay, and personal growth. She encourages women to embrace their skills and find supportive networks. What are some benefits in working as an HVAC technician that could encourage someone to enter the trade? I think there are many benefits with respect to having a career in HVAC. It's challenging (great for problem-solving), it's rewarding (you get a great sense of pride for your work), and it's lucrative (hard work pays off). A career in HVAC offers a wide range of opportunities for personal and professional growth. From residential to commercial to industrial settings, HVAC technicians can choose to specialize in various areas (installation, maintenance, system design, etc.) With extra training and certifications, technicians can advance into supervisory roles, project management, or even start their own HVAC businesses. The industry rewards hard work, dedication, and a commitment to ongoing learning, there is a clear pathway for career advancement and fulfillment that can be achieved by any hard worker.
Jessica Bannister HVAC/R Apprentice
Check out full interviews on innovatingcanada.ca. Publisher: Valerie Mettias Business Development Manager: Sarah Ferreira Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production & Delivery Manager: Michael Taylor Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Graphic & Web Designer: Christina Morgan Digital & Social Media Strategist: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod. All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.