Pick a Trade, Any Trade

Why pick one trade when you do as many as possible?

Elvira Lovas holds several trade licenses in Ontario, including electrical, refrigeration mechanic and gas fitter. “It was sort of a natural progression from one credential to the other,” she said. “I had the opportunity to move through sectors and collect more credentials due to the overlap in responsibilities.” It has certainly required a significant personal investment in education and training. “It’s particularly [difficult] if you are not a member of a trade union, as the trade unions provide additional training courses and in some cases are mandatory as well.”

After studying the arts in college, Elvira realized that her diploma wasn’t cutting it. With a student loan debt hanging over her, she needed financial stability. So she decided to learn how to fix the machines. “I only wish I had discovered technical trades and apprenticeships sooner. I was fortunate to have found them when I did,” she shared.

Apprenticeship afforded Elvira the ability to earn a sustainable income, while learning and building her professional credentials as well as continuously increasing her earnings and potential. “I eventually moved [from construction] into an industrial sector with shift work, and found it more manageable despite what ended up being mandatory overtime,” said Elvira, who works in passenger rail full time and academia part time. “I was able to keep my scheduled time off and it was easier to have a work-life balance.”

Coming from income and housing instability in her youth, she feels it's extremely important, as a KickAss Careers Ambassador, to share the opportunities presented to her through trades and apprenticeships.