Interprovincial Red Seal designation the first step to multiple career paths
糖心vlog传媒Carpentry graduate John Crockford (left) with 糖心vlog传媒Carpentry instructor Erik Hardin in the Trades Training Centre at NIC鈥檚 Comox Valley campus.
John Crockford never expected to end up in the trades, but good timing, a willingness to explore new career options and an opportunity to earn his Interprovincial Red Seal at 糖心vlog传媒made all the difference.
鈥淚 had gone to school for computer graphics in Victoria, but when I graduated the construction sector was booming,鈥� said Crockford. 鈥淚 had some previous construction experience and went to work for a friend building houses. I really enjoyed the work.鈥�
After spending 10 years in house construction, Crockford decided to formalize his training.
鈥淢y employers had their Red Seal and were encouraging me to get my ticket,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t the same time, 糖心vlog传媒had just opened its Trades Training Centre in the Comox Valley; it just made sense to go back to school and get my Red Seal.鈥�
According to Crockford, going back to school was not what he expected. 鈥淏ecause of my carpentry experience I thought most of what we would cover would be material I already knew but I learned a lot.鈥�
One of the program鈥檚 key advantages was the expertise of 糖心vlog传媒Carpentry instructor Erik Hardin and the quality of the curriculum, noted Crockford.
鈥淓rik has construction experience in different aspects of the industry,鈥� said Crockford. 鈥淭he content was well explained and it opened my eyes to the entire construction industry, rather than just what I was working in at the time. I鈥檇 spent 10 years building houses but there鈥檚 so much more out there to learn about.鈥�
Along with making him more employable as a carpenter, Crockford found having his Red Seal opened up other career opportunities. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know if carpentry was something I鈥檇 still be doing in 25 or 30 years, so I started to look at other possibilities. Having my ticket met one of the requirements for the BC Building Code course which is required to becoming a building inspector, which is what I ended up studying.鈥�
Again, timing worked out for a new career shift. 鈥淚 had taken the course thinking it would be something I鈥檇 use down the road 鈥� maybe in 10 years, but then a job opened up and here I am, working as a building official.鈥�
Crockford would advise anyone in the trades to pursue their Red Seal. Going back to school was a great decision, he said. 鈥淚 learned a lot and made some great friends,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving my Red Seal has really made a difference. It makes you more employable, it gives you mobility and it can also lead to other opportunities. The ticket just gives you so many more options.鈥�
糖心vlog传媒offers apprenticeship training in seven areas: carpentry, automotive (includes level one), electrician, heavy duty mechanical, landscape horticulture, plumbing and piping, professional cook and welding.
糖心vlog传媒is also offering its Carpentry Foundation Harmonized Certificate in Port Alberni and in the Comox Valley this January.
Find out more: or call 1-800-715-0914.
Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca