We’re taking a look at a number of different occupations in British Columbia! In a series of blog posts sponsored by WorkBC, we’re sharing some of the many careers that have positions open in our province right now, and helping connect you to the tools that could help you get a fulfilling (and well paying!) occupation. With a projected one million new job openings in BC by the year 2020, 43% of which require skills training, it really is just a matter of finding your fit.
Today we’re talking to someone who works as an electrician, the occupation that my father has held as long as I've been alive! He's close to retirement now and has enjoyed a prosperous career in this field, so we caught up with someone a little younger than ol' Papa Kronbauer - Paul Lehal.
After years of working in the trade, Paul started his own company called H&P Electric Ltd, along with a partner. One of the things he loves the most about his job is the ever-changing locations that it brings him to, telling us that "One week I could be in West Vancouver wiring a waterfront mansion, the following week I could be working in a restaurant in Burnaby or adding lights to an office building downtown. Every job has its own set of obstacles to overcome but it's always rewarding when the job is done and the customer is happy."
My father has also always enjoyed the change of scenery; he's happy to travel not just across town but across the region for various projects he takes on. He' also his own boss, like Paul who states that "Although running your own company is challenging and takes a lot of work, it is one of those accomplishments you can really be proud of."
Growing up, Paul always enjoyed working with his hands. From a young age he was interested in woodwork and metal shop and just general electronics. "I would love to take apart and reassemble broken electronics that were thrown away. I wanted a career that provided me with with a vast array of opportunities and was challenging; one where I would be constantly learning." Being a company that deals with residential, commercial and some industrial work, the wide range of skills and knowledge required to perform the work has provided him with just that.
When we asked him what one of the biggest draws towards the trades were for Paul, without a doubt it was the job opportunities. "Being a red seal certified electrician gives you nationally recognized status, which means you can work anywhere in Canada. Also, with an aging population of skilled tradesman and advances in new technology, it is a field with endless opportunities and unlimited possibilities."
Learn more about what it takes to become an electrician, what kind of salary to expect and more by visiting WorkBC's career profile on it HERE.
And be sure to visit WorkBC.ca/findyourfit for even more online labour market information tools and employment resources.
[SPONSORED POST]
