Guest Profile:

Joel Rathjen brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Gas Control Operator at ATCO in Edmonton, AB, a position he has grown into over his impressive 15-year tenure with the company. In this capacity, Joel diligently oversees the remote operation and monitoring of various ATCO-owned or operated pipeline networks. His efforts are crucial in ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of products from their initial receipt to their final destination.

Before stepping into his current role, Joel honed his skills at ATCO’s Red Deer distribution operation center, primarily working as a Pressure Control Operator. In this role, he became adept at maintaining different types of regulator stations and spearheading new constructions, setting a foundation of excellence and expertise.

Aside from his illustrious career in gas control operation, Joel is also a proud graduate of the Audiovisual Communications program at MacEwan University. Leveraging his education, he engaged in print and digital design projects across Canada. Furthermore, he collaborated with Axia Netmedia to create a database teaching tool utilized by the NFTC/Bombardier flight training centers in Cold Lake, AB, and Moose Jaw, SK.

Not just confined to the corporate and educational realms, Joel’s creativity extends into the musical sphere as well. He has enjoyed two stints as a professional touring artist and musician, lending his talents to the power-pop group “Welcome” and the country act “The Boom Chucka Boys.” His musical accolades include songwriting credits on his projects, in addition to co-writing songs for other artists, showcasing his versatile and dynamic artistic abilities.

At home in Sherwood Park, AB, Joel finds joy and balance in his personal life. He shares his life with his loving wife, their two children, and a pair of cherished dogs, grounding his remarkable professional journey with a rich and fulfilling family life.

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finning.com/jobs

Guest Profile:

Dennis Peyton completed an 8-month general mechanics course at Fairview College in 1997. He obtained his 1st-year Automotive and Heavy Duty tickets in 1998 and continued his education at NAIT in Edmonton, completing his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years. Dennis successfully passed his red seal tests in 2021 and, due to the urgent need for technicians to perform CVIP inspections at his workplace, he was granted early completion of his Red Seal Heavy Duty Technician Ticket, three months ahead of schedule.

Technical Training:

In addition to his apprenticeship training, Dennis received model-specific courses from Caterpillar and Waratah. He has completed courses covering various aspects such as Caterpillar hydraulic, powertrain, engine, and electrical systems, Advanced hydraulics, applied failure analysis 1 & 2, 797A/B haul trucks, D7E and D11T dozers, E/F and next-gen excavators, 500 series skidders, 500 series logging carriers, Waratah B/C series forestry attachments, Small wheel loaders K & M series, M series Motor graders, New Gen product link systems, Tier 4 intern emissions systems, Tier 4 final emissions systems, and Machine Electronic Controls.

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Career & Education Advisor Talk with Cherryl-Lyn Holder-Olamuyiwa

Cherryl-Lyn Olamuyiwa is from the island of Trinidad, but later she relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba to pursue her university education. There, she successfully obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Women and Gender Studies, coupled with a minor in Family Social Sciences.

Upon completing her studies, Cherryl-Lyn came across an opportunity to work at an organization that supported young immigrants in their search for employment. This experience sparked a deep passion within her to continue helping individuals find and retain suitable employment.

Over the years, Cherryl-Lyn’s career path evolved, starting with employment advising and eventually moving into employment program management. During this time, she skillfully developed and introduced various programs that catered to the specific needs of individuals seeking assistance in their career pursuits. Her dedication and commitment have positively impacted countless people as they navigate the journey towards finding fulfilling career opportunities.

Description

Educational counsellors advise current and prospective students on educational issues, career planning and personal development, and coordinate the provision of counselling services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff. They are employed by school boards and post-secondary educational institutions.

Job Forecast

The employment outlook will be moderate for Educational counsellors (NOC 4033) in the Toronto region for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Educational counsellors in the Toronto region:

• Approximately 2,250 people work in this occupation.
• Educational counsellors mainly work in the following sectors: Educational services (NAICS 61): 84%

Employment Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in counselling, career development, education or social sciences is required for counsellors in school settings.
• A master’s degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required.
• Educational counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required.
• In Quebec, membership in L’Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation is mandatory to use the titles ”vocational counsellor”, “guidance counsellor” and “vocational guidance counsellor”. A teacher’s certificate in the province of employment and some teaching experience is usually required for counsellors in school settings.

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/26815/ca

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Heavy Equipment Technician Talk with Roy Tymko

Roy Tymko was born and raised in St. Paul, Alberta, Canada on a small mixed farm operation raising purebred Black Angus cattle. He was involved in minor hockey from a young age. As well as raising both steer and heifer livestock projects with the local 4-H club in both St. Paul and Elk-Point. He graduated high school in 2015 followed by getting his class 1 licenses soon after graduation. When off shift from work Roy enjoys helping on the family farm, attending farm / heavy equipment auctions, building, and tinkering with computers and enjoying the outdoors.

Roy is an 4th year Heavy Equipment Tech. Apprentice with Finning Cat Based out of the D34 Facility in Calgary AB. His formal education would be his current 4-year Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship and 2-year diploma with NWP on the ThinkBIG Program.

However, after dealing with a few fall layoffs with road construction due to freeze up. Followed by looking for work in either plowing snow for contractors working under Alberta Highways or driving truck in the oilfield. It was time to diversify his skillset and go for a journey-person ticket in the trades. Roy applied for a paid apprenticeship as an ThinkBIG apprentice heavy equipment technician for Finning Cat based out of western Canada. Starting his career with Finning in the fall of 2019.

ThinkBIG is a 20-month (80-week) heavy equipment service program created through a partnership between Northwestern Polytech, Caterpillar, and Finning. This globally recognized program that is designed to meet Alberta apprenticeship examination requirements and is only offered at one post-secondary institution in Canada. Over five 16-week blocks, you’ll learn advanced technical knowledge and develop skills through a hands-on approach, working on Cat equipment. Each block is divided into eight weeks of class and lab time on campus and eight weeks of paid practicum at a licensed Finning location.

Description

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming and similar activities. They are employed by companies which own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service establishments, railway transport companies and urban transit systems. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Job Forecast

The employment outlook will be good for Heavy-duty equipment mechanics.

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job.

Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in heavy equipment repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.

Agricultural equipment technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Heavy-duty equipment technician trade certification is compulsory in Quebec (only in the construction industry) and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/7508/ca

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Police Talk with Sgt. Angie Tetley and Cst. Brennan MartinVisit:

https://join.calgarypolice.ca

Our guests on The Job Talk Podcast:

Sgt. Angie Tetley, with over 20 years in the Calgary Police Service (CPS), recently joined the CPS Recruiting Unit as the outreach sergeant. She served in numerous roles, including frontline patrol, recruit training instructor, competition coordinator in HR, and operational planning in the Major Events and Emergency Management Section. Tetley is also the Training Director for the Alberta Women in Public Safety and Chair of Calgary Women in Policing. She's married to a firefighter and is proud of her rugby-playing daughters.

Const. Brennan Martin, a sociology graduate, commenced his policing career in 2003. Recently, he joined the CPS Recruiting Unit as a recruiting and outreach officer, attracting experienced officers to join CPS. He co-facilitates the Run with a Recruiter program, which informs participants about the CPS application process and life as a police officer. Martin's CPS career includes frontline patrol, drug investigations, gang suppression, and establishing relationships with vulnerable communities via beat teams. Off-duty, he enjoys rural life with his family and volunteering as a hockey coach.

Police officers safeguard the public, detect and prevent crime, and maintain law and order. They're employed by municipal, federal, and some provincial and regional governments. The employment outlook is promising.

Requirements include secondary school completion, a college or university degree, a police training program, physical fitness, and possibly psychological tests.

Constable experience and specialized courses are required for detectives and sergeants.

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Firefighter Talk with Kevin Royle

Kevin Royle, a 14 year veteran with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, is a First Class Firefighter, Firefighter Medical Responder, Apparatus operator, and Fire Investigator.

Kevin founded Firefighter Aid Ukraine in 2014 and remains the project director. Firefighter Aid Ukraine has delivered over 209 tons of aid to first responders and hospitals to Ukraine. The organization has also sent or helped to send equipment such as fire trucks, medical supplies, firefighting rescue equipment, and PPE to other countries such as Lebanon, Chile, Paraguay, Syria, Mexico, the Philippines, India, and Cuba. They have continued working in Ukraine throughout the conflict.

Kevin was the recipient of the Hetman Award for his work in Ukraine, and was recently appointed to the Premier’s AdvisoryTask force on Ukraine. Kevin has a beautiful wife and is the father of two young children. When not working or volunteering, Kevin enjoys skiing and travelling the world.

When the conflict started, FAU used their trusted network to focus on the immediate delivery of critical aid to Ukraine. In a week, the organization accomplished what typically takes well over a year collecting 14 tones of critically needed life rescue equipment, PPE, and medical supplies, chartered a cargo plane, and departed from the Edmonton International Airport on March 10th. In less than 24hrs of landing in Europe, FAU and AUCC personally delivered two-semi trucks full of equipment into Ukraine and handed them off to our contacts in the State Emergency Services. Within days of that equipment being provided, it was on the front lines of the war and making international news, as seen on CNN.

FAU’s will continue to collect critical aid and ship it to the front lines and communities affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Description

Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Job Forecast

Visit: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/6279/ca

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.

• Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field may be required.

• Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.

• An apprenticeship training program for firefighters and voluntary trade certification is available in New Brunswick.

• Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.

• Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.

• Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.

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