Edward Hatashita-Lee is a first-year millwright apprentice from 91原创, whose critical-thinking skills paid dividends recently.
During apprenticeship recognition week last month, the Industry Training Authority held a contest where apprentices could share a picture of themselves and an explanation of what their industry 鈥渢icket鈥� means to them.
Some spoke about how getting trained in their field has brought them experience, travel opportunities, leadership skills, a challenging career. About 200 apprentices participated, but the local man鈥檚 comments were among those singled out.
For 22-year-old Hatashita-Lee, he said he loves the critical thinking required in his chosen career, and how that mixes with the hands-on component of his job.
He 鈥榮 a first-level millwright apprentice from BCIT, who has been working at Pacific Coast Fruit Products for the past year 鈥� mostly doing industrial and preventative maintenance, hands-on fabrication, lots of cutting and welding of stainless steel, and lots of mechanical and electrical work.
He鈥檒l head back into the classroom to start level 2 training in January.
鈥淭he schooling consists of 50/50 in the classroom and in the shop to get a millwright red seal one must complete all four levels,鈥� he explained.
Hatashita-Lee鈥檚 advice to anyone looking to get started in the skilled trades is to choose something you are passionate about, and never give up.
鈥淓ver since I was young, I鈥檝e always been interested in mining and heavy industry along with working with my hands,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 wanted to do a job that consisted of a little bit of everything.鈥�
In Grade 7, Hatashita-Lee conducted a career survey, the results suggesting he might make a good millwright. He laughs now, because he had to look up what a millwright was.
鈥淯pon finding out there actually was a job that consisted of a little bit of everything industrially, I knew what I wanted to do,鈥� he said.
In addition to a little extra notoriety, his prize for this ITA contest included a $100 gift card for Canadian Tire, which he鈥檚 expecting to use on a 鈥渂ig ticket tool鈥� on sale.
