‘She lit up the way’ : WorkBC client reflects on life-changing training and supports

In 2017, Katie left Ontario with a few suitcases, her three young children and the bright hope that she would raise them in a safe, loving home. The idea of someday having a fulfilling career felt distant, but with help from WorkBC Centre Vernon, a special opportunity would find her soon enough.

Katie moved to the North Okanagan in 2017 with her young family.

“I was pretty lost in life,” says Katie, looking back on her first few months of relocating, living with her parents and trying to find her way. One of the places where she went to take care of herself and get stronger was the gym. It was there that she met a woman who mentioned all the ways WorkBC can help with job searches and career planning.

“I didn’t know what kinds of support were out there,” she says. “I was looking for guidance.”

Soon after visiting WorkBC for the first time, Katie went to the Lumby outreach office and met with Carmen, who became her career advisor.

Carmen introduced Katie to the Women in Trades program at Okanagan College, and the Trades Sampler program, which gives young adults and women exposure to a variety of trades.

“I’ve always liked cars and I’ve always liked doing my own work on my car, so I liked that idea, and all the supports that came with it, I couldn’t believe it,” she says. Supports such as funding for daycare and tuition to make it possible for a single parent to attend post-secondary training.

Before long, Katie was in the classroom and workshop, getting introduced to automotive, carpentry, electrical, heavy mechanical, plumbing and piping, and sheet metal and welding.

“It was a very raw time for me and it was a little overwhelming at first but it was the best group of people. I still keep in touch with my teacher to this day.”

During the automotive section, both Katie and her teacher recognized her passion and aptitude.

“He said, ‘I can tell you’re really interested in this. Maybe you should give it a try.’”

There was an opening in the group starting the next month. So, Katie shifted from the Trades Sampler to the Automotive Foundation program, the first step toward becoming a first-year apprentice.

“The diagnostics in automotive fascinate me, and how all the systems work together to make one thing happen,” says Katie. “My teacher was very supportive and could tell who really wanted to be there and who needed to be pushed.”

The learning was rewarding, but it didn’t always come easy, and the school day was just the half of Katie’s world, especially once she began a work placement at Okanagan Dodge in Kelowna.

“My youngest was three then. I had three kids under 10. When I started my apprenticeship, I had to be in Kelowna by 7:30 a.m. and had to have the kids at daycare by 6 a.m. At night, I was home with them and studying. I did it, but I don’t know how.”

Looking back, she says that time would not have been possible without the supports from WorkBC.

“I don’t know how I would have done any of this without them. Even if you take away the funding, Carmen was my light at the end of the tunnel. She really lit up the way for me. I have so much gratitude in my heart for her and I was always blown away by the supports given to me.”

Katie is now a certified automotive technician living in Salmon Arm.

Carmen says even though WorkBC has so many amazing supports, it still requires a lot of work and commitment to the process. "Despite Katie’s challenging circumstances, she showed tenacity and perseverance through the whole process. She never gave up and was committed every step of the way."

Following her time at WorkBC, Katie carried on all the way through to fourth-year apprentice at the same dealership. She became a certified automotive technician. She and her children later moved to Salmon Arm, where she worked at Braby Motors for a time and has become a sought-after member of the JEEP community. While she’s taking a break from being a full-time mechanic right now to spend more time with her children, she’s working toward starting her own business to make weekdays more sustainable as a single parent. She also hopes to host workshops to help other women learn how to take care of their vehicles and stay safe on the road.

“I have big plans,” she says.

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