Meet Jason Langlois from Vancouver, who has a red seal trade certification in Carpentry.
Hi my name is Jason Langlois and I’m 32 years old and I’m from Vancouver, BC. I have my red seal trade certification in Carpentry and I’m actively working as a construction superintendent.
My life is divided into 2 things that I love: my family and my job. Everyone loves their family, but not everyone loves their job. After spending 10 years in the tourism industry, I wasn’t happy, so I started looking for options. I was looking for something that didn’t feel like ‘going to work every day’ I wanted to do something that I enjoyed. That’s when I learned about the apprenticeship grants and skilled trades. It allowed me to turn into what had started as a childhood fascination into a rewarding career that I not only love, but that has opened up so many doors of opportunity.
When I had first sat down and calculated the cost of what it would take to change careers at that point in my life, it was overwhelming. I would have to say one of the biggest deciding factors for me was the apprenticeship grants. They helped offset the financial burden of making such a big change, as I was still young and had just started my family. It helped me focus more on what mattered the most, my family, and my ability to provide for them.
I’ve been in the construction industry for 6 years now, which is relatively short. In that short time I was able to complete my apprenticeship, get my red seal endorsement and move into management working as a superintendent. I can say with confidence that if there were no apprenticeship grants, I wouldn’t have had the incentive to make the career change. I’m sure glad I did as I can’t even imagine where I would be if I hadn’t.
For everyone across Canada, the best advice I can offer directly from personal experience is that it is never too late to change careers and follow your dreams. It is a proven fact that people change careers 3-4 times in their lifetime. The apprenticeship grants can help you make that change because they offer more than just financial assistance. They offer a better future. If you are a hard worker, and have a strong mental aptitude, then what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.