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Re-Thinking Technical Trades

Re-Thinking The Identity of Technical Trades 

The first few months of my training in North West, Alberta (Grande Prairie) I conformed to every stereotype of what I perceived the trades where all about. The western lifestyle and way of doing things is night and day compared to Eastern Canada. When I make this distinction I am specifically talking about the emphasis on work life balance and to be more precise  the lifestyle and occupational health/safety standards of those who work in the Oil & Gas sector.  The government of Alberta is very aware of the stress toll this sector experiences; the reality of drug, alcohol abuse and aggressive domestic violence leading to broken homes due to long periods of time away is a huge productivity and societal health problem.

Beyond The Stereotypes 

Stereotypical view points like the one above are not static but instead very fluid and the situation in the west is changing rapidly. There is currently a surge of strong responsible well educated young professional talent from the east that is moving west. Fundamentally competition for Human Capital  from a Supply & Demand level leads west but there is also competition for talent in occupational sectors and it is my personal opinion that in the next 10-25 years the jobs of the future will continue to be in the technical trades. We all know of the Lawyer, Doctor, Engineering route which is a universal societal occupation of status, power and talent however in the same breath Carpenter, Electrician and Pipefitter are equally in the same category under “High Skilled” occupations. The only difference is in the tools required to do the job and the need for workforce mobility the 9 to 5 lifestyle, North American dream that was sold to a generation of millennial’s is something of the past. There is no such thing as job security, the only security is in an individuals ability to adapt, and to be the best at what they do in order to keep a competitive advantage over their peers.

Tools Required To Do The Job 

 

 

 

 

I’ve recently been listening to Earl Nightingale a 1950’s motivational speaker who’s simple viewpoints on life, success and living have resonated with me.

 

 

 

Something that I think is forgotten sometimes because Canada is such a strong a stable country politically and economically is that we are competing on a global level in business. Our academic institutions are generally highly regarded as the best in the world, howeve

 

 

 

In order to make my point as clear as possible, it was

 

 

, however moving west and living is not necessarily the ideal circumstance for a majority of people in the population.

 

 

 

 

This is especially alarming when you look at the fact that from my estimate of working a year in the north that 80% of the population working in these fields is . Now this is something that is an issue throughout the world and in every region of the country, however I will

 

matter where in the world status is a huge motivation for individuals who want to enhance their quality of life.

 

 

Cutting cost and austirty is not always the best opition, sometimes what is requried instead of cost cutting is changing in the mind the perception of what it means to be in a certin occupation andth

 

in the sector not for the enjoyment but to cover cost,

 

Overtime as I have matured in my understanding of the trades and where the future is leading things I am more convinced than ever that the synergy between the East and West is slowly fusing together. What I mean by this is that the academic/technical expertise

 

not just from a cultural stand point as inter-provincial mobility enhances but from a technical and business standpoint also.

 

 

 

 

Emotional Freedom and The Self

“If you truly want to be happy in life, you should tie it to a goal not to people or objects” – Alberta Einstein

Peace in Oneself 

Who are you? A simple question that many find difficult to answer, our identities can be tied to many different things, in the field of entrepreneurship where ideas are encouraged, the “idea”, “concept” or outside projection can begin to influence who a person truly is. The key to overcoming being lost in any journey is to find a true sense of inner peace and self fulfillment within one’s own being. When you tie your happiness to an individual or object you will find that this feeling of happiness or sadness (emotion) is impermanent. When you tie your happiness to any independent source outside yourself, you have thus lost yourself and will in turn not be able to genuinely connect with other people. In business, trades, life in general it is all about relationships no matter the audience. I am starting to find that all too often the most important relationship that matter the most is ignored. This is the relationship within oneself, something that would seem elementary but that is easily forgotten especially when focused on impermanent ideas and concepts. 

A Real Love Story, Alana & Jerome

A Personal Love Letter, By: Alana Sharpe, to Jerome Downey, training in North West Alberta.

Love is a powerful emotion, and opposites attract.

Winter Wonderland

Personal Reflections: Western Training

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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. 

JFK 50 Years Later: America Remembers

Kennedy, “Inaugural Address,” Speech Text

Kennedy, “Inaugural Address,” Speech Text

 

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, INAUGURAL ADDRESS (20 JANUARY 1961)

[2] We observe today not a victory

John_F__Kennedy_Wallpaper_by_OckGal of party but a celebration of freedom–symbolizing an end as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.

[3] The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe–the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.

[4] We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

[5] Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

Protecting Youth from Bullying and Cyberbullying

 May 10, 2013

Winnipeg, Manitoba – PMO Office Statment 

The Government of Canada recognizes that bullying and cyberbullying are serious concerns for many Canadian families and communities, and has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.

While bullying is not new, cyberbullying or bullying carried out by electronic means is a relatively recent phenomenon. Anyone can be a victim of cyberbullying. As with bullying more generally, young people are the most common targets of this type of behaviour. Bullying and cyberbullying can have a devastating impact on their victims and are particularly harmful to both the welfare and development of child victims.

Protecting our Youth

The Government has undertaken education and awareness, prevention, and, enforcement activities to address the problems of bullying and cyberbullying.

Education and Awareness

Cyber_Bullying_by_VerlVerl

  • Through the Healthy Canadians website and Facebook pages, the Government reaches out to Canadians on health issues, including information on bullying and cyberbullying, and tips for bullying prevention and intervention.
  • In February 2013, Facebook posts on bullying were seen by over 500,000 people and shared more than 6,500 times.
  • The Youth Resource Centre provides RCMP officers working in over 5,000 schools across the country with cyberbullying lesson plans to teach youth how to recognize, respond to and prevent cyberbullying behaviour.
  • Piloted in 2011, the Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help (WITS) program has RCMP officers in 50 elementary schools and has engaged over 8,800 students to prevent bullying and victimization. The program is run in collaboration with Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), the Rock Solid Foundation and University of Victoria researchers.
  • The DEAL.org website is a unique by-youth, for-youth, web-based program that offers resources to youth, parents and educators on issues such as bullying and cyberbullying.
  • GetCyberSafe, the Government of Canada’s public awareness campaign on online safety, has information about cyberbullying that includes how to talk to youth about it, and how to respond to this type of incident.

PM announces changes to the Ministry

PM announces changes to the Ministry

February 22, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the following changes to the Ministry at a private swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall:

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, will continue the Government’s work to advance dialogue on Aboriginal issues and take achievable steps that will provide better education and economic outcomes for Aboriginal peoples across Canada.

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The Safe Streets and Communities Act

Conservatives Noted Key Accomplishments

February 8, 2013
Vancouver, British Columbia

The Government of Canada has made significant accomplishments in three key areas: tackling crime by holding violent criminals accountable for their crimes, giving victims of crime a stronger voice, and increasing the efficiency of the Justice system. In total, over thirty measures have been enacted into law since 2006.

TACKLING CRIME

The Ending House Arrest for Property and Other Serious Crimes component of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10) (Effective date: November 20, 2012)

These amendments restricted the use of conditional sentences including house arrests. A conditional sentence is a sentence of imprisonment that may be served in the community provided certain conditions are met. The amendments provided an expanded and clear list of offences for which conditional sentences are not available.

The Targeting Serious Drug Crime component of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10) 7c936057-6e80-4504-8a79-4d53605cd277(Effective date: November 6, 2012)

The Safe Streets and Communities Act amended the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to address serious organized drug crime. The CDSA now provides mandatory minimum penalties for serious drug offences, including those carried out for organized crime purposes and those that involve targeting youth. The legislation supported the National Anti-Drug Strategy’s efforts to combat illicit drug production and distribution and help disrupt criminal enterprises by targeting drug suppliers.

The Protecting Canadians from Violent and Repeat Young Offenders component of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10) (Effective date: October 23, 2012)

The Safe Streets and Communities Act included reforms designed to help ensure that violent and repeat young offenders are held fully accountable, and that the protection of society is given due consideration in applying the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Protecting Children from Sexual Predators component of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10) (Effective date: August 9, 2012)

The Safe Streets and Communities Act amended the Criminal Code to better protect children from sexual predators by ensuring that the penalties imposed for sexual offences against children are consistent and better reflect the heinous nature of these acts, and by creating two new offences that take aim at conduct that could facilitate the sexual abuse of a child.

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Economic Independence and The Idea of Self Determination

In my personal opinion and experience even still today here in Canada, I find most police officers or “peace officers” still use excessive tactics of intimidation and force. I think this alienates the core rights and freedoms that are supposed to be protected under the law. 

I fundamentally believe individual human rights and freedoms are worth fighting to protect, and even though institutional racism is a reality I choose NOT to turn a blind eye but instead work towards a modern solution that focuses on the self, because the system will not do it for us.

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The Global Climate Breakdown?

This is image of the Arctic sea ice on September 13, 2012, the day it shrank to the smallest surface area since records began. The yellow outline shows the average sea ice minimum from 1979 through 2010. This photo illustrates what many climate scientists have been saying: global climate breakdown is proceeding more rapidly than they expected.

Key Question?

Do you think it is time for the world to mobilize to implement the solutions we already have?

Or

Is this just natures path and we have to accept the results?

© NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

Post via @DESERTEC