糖心vlog传媒second-year Carpentry Apprenticeship student Theresa Clement鈥檚 dream of becoming a carpenter is being made possible, thanks to the support of a generous community.
Clement discovered carpentry while working as a labourer at the North Island Hospitals Project. One of the carpenters on site worked with Clement and got her interested in the trade.
鈥淥nce I knew what I wanted to do, I researched all the trades schools on Vancouver Island,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was pleasantly surprised to find out that 糖心vlog传媒was home to the best trades programs and facilities 鈥� I applied the next day.鈥�
Clement says the experience at 糖心vlog传媒has been wonderful.
鈥淚 was nervous going in, especially when I realized I was the only girl in the class, but I was treated as an equal right away,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll the instructors have been super helpful and I don鈥檛 feel they look at me as any different as any other student.鈥�
After completing her foundation program, Clement got a job at Dent Island Lodge.
Being in a male-dominated profession did push her to learn as much as she could.
鈥淚 told myself that I needed to be as well-rounded as possible because I never wanted to find myself in a situation where I wasn鈥檛 knowledgeable enough,鈥� she said.
Clement is planning to return to Dent Island after her second year is complete, but isn鈥檛 sure what the future will hold after that. 鈥淚n second year we learn a lot about commercial building, so I鈥檇 like to try that for a few years,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also love doing renovations, especially on older homes. They have great structure, but it also takes a lot of problem solving to transform them. I like that challenge.鈥�
The support she鈥檚 received from her instructors, co-workers and the broader community has been overwhelming. In early 2018, she was the recipient of the first-ever Inspired Women鈥檚 Award from Black Press. She also received awards from the Courtenay Rotary Club and the 糖心vlog传媒Foundation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to know there are people out there rooting for you to succeed,鈥� said Clement.
It has also inspired her to give back and she hopes to inspire other women to look at the trades as a career option.
鈥淚 feel like there are a lot of girls out there who might be interested, or who may not know it鈥檚 something they鈥檇 like because they never thought about it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great job, well-paying and the skills you learn are skills you鈥檒l use for the rest of your life.鈥�
For more information on 糖心vlog传媒trades and technical programs, visit .
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