Cory Devoe, is a 25 year old Journeyman Pipefitter, From Newfoundland & Labrador. That I trained with on a project outside Grande Prairie, Alberta with Reed Energy Group.
A new chapter begins
Life is about making decisions and some are easier than others but all have consequences. The reality of these decisions when unprepared to face them can be emotionally damaging, and lead a person astray.
“Believe in your vision, and work hard to achieve your dream. Never quit, live with integrity, unite, don’t divide.” – Lessons From My Grandfather
When deciding to advance my education it required me to move from my home and love in Ottawa, ON Canada. Unlike many of my peers who choose to advance their education by enrolling in a Masters degree. After 7 years of work experience in the finance and business technology sector, I felt that there was a missing element to my professional development that needed to be addressed. I needed to develop a hard skill, that would compensate well and support my life and small family. Despite my strong academic background and proven abilities the excess supply of undergraduates and limited demand made this a differentiation characteristic I knew would be valuable in the present, and future.
I have learned project management, procurement, health & safety, engineered drawings, and the importance of financial controls at a ground level, not to mention how to cut, thread, measure, and assemble steel production; this experience has helped balance out my liberal arts, urban, digital perspectives and allowed me to see first hand the true potential of Canadian industry development and the importance of the Build Force Canada initiative.
Hard work generation
I have discovered that “Western Alienation“ is very true. The hours of work, dedication and amount of time required by those who live and work in the energy sector in Western Canada is beyond what anyone can imagine in the east. However the kicker is, many of the young workers in this region are actually from the east. So not only are they taxed more because of the long hours but they are also separated from loved ones due to travel restraints, time, not to mention cost.
The federal social service government funded programs and grants gained from employment income tax garnishments of Western Canadians is extremely imbalanced when considering the amount of hard work and hours that are required by those who do the job.
Living in the present
The training program I was on was scheduled to last 2.5 years, I am at the halfway point. The program offered financial security, comfort, and stability but life has a way of changing plans specially when family and loved ones are involved. I am proud to say that I am a registered apprentice, and look forward to continuing my development as red seal journeyman. My strength, passion, love and desire still remains strong in my work as a business development professional, however for the rest of this journey I am excited for the opportunities that have been put before me and for the support and love I had from the special people in my life.
Overall I have learned education is about building a solid foundation, of useful skills and knowledge that will enable you to not just survive but thrive in society. Ontario has become a mixed economy of door knockers/salesmen, computer programmers and retail/consumer services where union labour work dominates not the free market. The glory of “Hamilton Steel City” and Ontario’s power industrial development is slowly weakening as the growth in the GTA over the past decade has struggled to support the population expansion. This reality has forced major cities to invest heavily in infrastructure to sustain the flow of commerce. And has led to amazing opportunities in the trades for labour force across the country.
I was born in Ontario, raised in Atlantic Canada and learned the true meaning of hard work as a man in the West. With the support and encouragement of my professional network, friends, and family I plan on returning back to the Nations Capital in the near future however until that time I will always remain strong, work hard, stay loyal to those who love me and helped me get this far. On top of a facility completing the final project.