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
feminism
SHARING POWER WITH THE WORLD BY SHARING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Workers Without Borders, a few neat none-profits you can put your trade skills to work with! There is a place in every trade persons’ heart for sharing their skills and knowledge with others. It feels good to be able to say; ‘I can make that happen’, and then to demonstrate. And that is why working … Continue reading SHARING POWER WITH THE WORLD BY SHARING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
My Truck Check Engine Light is My Tarot
how my check engine light is my tarot reading.
ELECTRIC SHOCK AND HOW TO AVOID IT
Apparently electricians are crazy. 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. 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
Eff You Drywall.
So, turns out dropping a dozen sheets of drywall onto your own legs, being pinned to the ground in a crumpled mess underneath the near tonne of dead weight, finding yourself surrounded by people who panic with you, rush to your aid, get enough able bodies together to lift the sheets high enough for you … Continue reading Eff You Drywall.
Mental Health and Addiction In The Trades
I’ve been thinking a lot about mental health and addiction in the trades these days. So much so that I frequent the Centre For Disease Control and World Health Organization websites looking for interesting articles and statistics regarding construction workers and their overall relationship to mental health and addiction. I have heard that rates of … Continue reading Mental Health and Addiction In The Trades
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. It took me 6 years to complete the 6000 hours of workplace experience and 40 weeks of schooling. I had good days and bad days, and made some friends along the way. I also met some people I … Continue reading I Was A Pain In The Ass Apprentice.
Electricians Without Borders Interview
Nearly two months ago, an article in my union locals newsletter caught my eye about a non-governmental organization called Electricians Without Borders. They are a group of volunteer electricians, paying their own travel to communities in need, to share their talents and time. This sounded awesome and I had to know more. I … Continue reading Electricians Without Borders Interview
My Infatuation With Homelessness.
As a teenager, when the pressure started to weigh of having to support myself one day, I would consume myself with what I thought were bigger questions. I wanted answers to these questions before I could start to make any plans for independent living, or any other methods of survival or community contribution. What was … Continue reading My Infatuation With Homelessness.
Secret Life Of An Apprentice Ellectrician 