01-32_GENERALS_SUMMER25_PT - Flipbook - Page 20
ENGAGEMENT
site foremen and site supers to owners of
companies, they’re just amazed,” says
Moro. “They said: ‘Wow. Where was this
program when I was in high school?’ I'm
excited to see what the next journey is
going to be.”
It’s another way to cultivate interest in
an industry that is hungry for talent.
“We need this badly,” Mercer says. “I
think it's really important for PCL to be
a part of that and help the high schools
form their plan on how to expose their
students to this industry.
“It's a great way to show that there are
ways other than the university or college
avenues to create great opportunities and
great-paying, challenging careers ,” he
added. “It's just a whole avenue that I
think is way under-advertised.”
PCL values lifelong education – classroom and experience alike – and prioritizes learning and skills development of
all kinds.
Nurturing Bright Futures
Shaikh admits he might have missed his
calling entirely had it not been for STEP
and his co-op with PCL.
“I was going to take the regular college university route. But during my later
years of high school, I started feeling like
I didn’t want to be in a job where I'm confined to a space. I'm a very energetic person. I like using my hands. I like being on
my feet. What jobs are there like that?
“The second I started getting my hands
on plumbing and using the tools and
doing the fitting, I thought: ‘Hey, I enjoy
this.’”
Shaikh plans to work through his
five-year apprenticeship program, get
his plumbing license and obtain his Red
Seal certification. He’s excited about his
future and the opportunity to earn a living
straight out of high school. He says being
mentored by an established company was
a huge leg up.
“Being there with such
knowledgeable people and such a big
company … wow, I didn't think they
gave out opportunities like this to
people like me.
“Start off with the right habits,”
Shaikh says. “Being able to be there with
people that know what they're doing
– they’ve been doing it for the last 100
years, 50 years -- it's proper.”
Eventually, he’d like to start his own
plumbing business. He plans to take
on co-op students, providing the same
opportunity he was offered.
“Giving kids hands-on experience
is the best way to be able to show them
this side of work,” Shaikh says. “I want
to help them and show them that there's
other ways to make money.
“Something I didn't even know I
could do my whole entire life I ended up
being super good at,” he says. “It fit me
super well.”
Phone: 1-800-268-4729
Website www.winsan.on.ca
E-mail: winsan@winsan.on.ca
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