Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Not Just a One-Trick Pony

Most of us have managed to solve one side of a Rubik’s Cube—and then either popped all the pieces out or pulled all the stickers off in order to “solve” the entire cube.

Recently, my 13-year-old nephew showed me that he can solve the cube in 10 seconds. It motivated me and with a little bit of practice, I learned how to solve it in about two minutes. Whoever said this guy was a one-trick pony?

That phrase reminded me of a journeyman electrician that I met at Fort Hills last summer. I remembered him from a mod yard in Edmonton, where he was working as a pipefitter. He confirmed that he is a journeyman pipefitter, electrician, and an apprentice boilermaker. “I’m not just a one-trick pony,” he said.

When I met him, he already had verification that he would be going back to the mod yard when he was laid off.

“How often have you been without work over the past 20 years?” I asked.

“Never. Unless I want to be off for a bit or when going to school,” he said.

There is stability in diversity. Picking up a second trade increases opportunities and bolsters a résumé. Multitrade Local 63 members are well-positioned to secure work, and are often among the last to be laid off at the completion of a job. They are also in high demand for shutdowns, turnarounds, and long-term maintenance, sectors where CLAC signatory contractors are gaining more work. In general, it is beneficial to expand your skillset and continually add value to your career.

Our members are already experienced in construction and maintenance, familiar with the robust safety culture, and have attained a host of safety tickets, certifications, and orientations. Adding another trade ticket leverages those other qualifications even more.

In particular, scaffolders and industrial insulators are in demand. Adding these trades to your repertoire could keep you working through downturns, cycles where demand for one trade slows, or just offer a new challenge.

For more information about CLAC’s scaffolder or insulator training programs, or for any of your other training needs, contact CLAC Training at abtraining@clac.ca or 888-700-7555.

Solving a Rubik’s Cube might stretch your mind, but it isn’t going to get you a job. Acquiring another trade will open up employment opportunities. Now may be the time to get motivated, accept the challenge, and learn a new skill.

Not Just a One-Trick Pony

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