Kelly Kienleitner, My First Electrical Mentor

I met Kelly when I walked into my first year electrical school class room.  She was the teacher, to my relief.  I was the only other female in the class, and it gave me hope that I wouldn't experience any of the sexism I was so afraid of going into trades, if the person in … Continue reading Kelly Kienleitner, My First Electrical Mentor

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SHOP TALK TRADE COMICS For Construction Trade Workers BOOK (2nd Edition) AVAILABLE NOW!

SHOP TALK TRADE COMICS For Construction Trade Workers Shop Talk Trade Comics, for construction trade workers (WITHIN CANADA)CLICK THIS ONE IF YOU LIVE IN CANADA! Comics to entertain those in the construction trades, inspired by those in the construction trades. One lady electricians take on the trade life. Nearly 100 pages of a 5"by7" professionally … Continue reading SHOP TALK TRADE COMICS For Construction Trade Workers BOOK (2nd Edition) AVAILABLE NOW!

ELECTRIC SHOCK AND HOW TO AVOID IT

Apparently electricians are crazy. Ā They work with electricity, a dangerous form of energy that can kill you! They magically put life into things and go home at the end of the day as though they are JUST average bears. Ā They risk their lives, so the rest of the world can have lights on at night … Continue reading ELECTRIC SHOCK AND HOW TO AVOID IT

Unions, Get In One and Get Off Your Butt. A Trade Workers Perspective.

 An electrician’s perspective on why joining a union as a tradesperson is the smartest thing you’ll ever do, and why just paying your dues isn't good enough. What’s a union?  A labour union is a group of workers who group themselves together to bargain with governments, industry and employers to improve working conditions.  Its me, you, … Continue reading Unions, Get In One and Get Off Your Butt. A Trade Workers Perspective.

I Was A Pain In The Ass Apprentice.

I was a pain in the ass apprentice. Not so long ago I was an electrical apprentice. Ā It took me 6 years to complete the 6000 hours of workplace experience and 40 weeks of schooling. Ā I had good days and bad days, and made some friends along the way. Ā I also met some people I … Continue reading I Was A Pain In The Ass Apprentice.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN…?

Something changed forever in me when my father died. I must have been at the ripest age for that sort of experience, because I’m certain the direction of my life altered forever on that day. In my late teenage years, I was asking exciting questions to the universe, such as: ā€˜What am I going to … Continue reading HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN…?

Mental Health and Addiction Within The Trades

I recently asked some other electricians, that I consider my peers, what advice they would give to other electrical apprentices. Ā I got some great advice, such as from Oleg: ā€˜Take as little time off as possible. Only turn down over time if you have a really good reason. Don't talk about the weird shit you're … Continue reading Mental Health and Addiction Within The Trades

BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.

Right before I head to my second year of schooling, where I will finally learn all about single phase AC (Alternating Current) electricity (because in your first year you only touch on DC, Ā Direct Current), I am stuck on a substation site as an electrical apprentice and first aid attendant with one other worker, Tim … Continue reading BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.

WORKING UNDER INDUCTION

I’m working under the 500kv lines. Atop a mountain looking over the mainland this time. Above the city of Coquitlam. I can look across the way and imagine the outline of the water treatment plant I was working on a few months back.Ā  Mostly I just see the mountains of trees yonder, with a clear … Continue reading WORKING UNDER INDUCTION