Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you, everyone.
In 2015 I found myself struggling with life and what I was to do next. I'd lost a job of three years to downsizing at that time, with the company relocating to New Brunswick. I could have gone with the company, but it wasn't an option for me because I was a single mom with four kids, ages 18, 13, and a set of twins who were four. There was no way I could move and leave all my support system in Halifax, so what was I to do next?
One of my friends of 21 years had mentioned the Women Unlimited program was recruiting and was about to come around again and I should call for an interview. I knew very little about the program, only that my girlfriend had been in her first year of welding and was exposed to this trade because of the Women Unlimited program, WU as we call it, the career exploration program.
I love to learn new things and have always been a hands-on person so I said to myself I'd give it a try and hopefully make a career out of it. Welding was my preference because of the shipbuilding project in the city, and I figured there would be work available once I graduated. I called WU, Women Unlimited, and had an interview and in less than a week I was accepted into the program. To my surprise, Irving joined forces with WU, and we were offered the pilot program for the metal trades during that year.
I knew this was where I needed to be. The program was 14 weeks and included a 36-hour introduction to welding. During the 14 weeks we had full support from our instructors, Shelley Wallace and Yvette Jarvis, and I felt I was part of a sisterhood. WU helped me find resources, such as child care, transportation, and educational bursaries, along with the tools and equipment that I needed to make me successful. Every day they empowered me and encouraged us to be the best we could to ourselves and to each other.
WU was not only academic work; it was also about personal growth. WU made my opportunities endless, and I thank the organization with all their wonderful sponsors. While I was in WU I found myself taking a leadership role and carried that with me over my two-year journey. I was always around for the other ladies, giving advice, lending a hand, or just being there for when they needed it, and they were there for me in return. I was on the honour roll both years. I became the student association president of the Nova Scotia Community College Akerley Campus. I was hired as a part-time employee of the campus and all these things were accomplishments I had not expected along my journey.
Now that I have finally finished school and am at the Irving Shipyard doing my five-week placement in hopes that I will be hired as a shipbuilder, I know that Irving is the place for me. It's where I can be at home to be close to my family, friends, and my support system. I know I will be financially secure to take care of my family, and most of all, this is where I can retire.
I can't thank everyone enough, WU and Irving and all the sponsors, for helping make my dreams come true. I once said that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the first ship, and now I can say I did and I'm a part of history.