September, 2024 (Quesnel, BC) – Annabelle Lalonde, a millwright apprentice with Motion Industries, has found early success in her trades career and is encouraging others in a similar position to give trades a try.
Since beginning a millwright apprenticeship with Motion Industries, Lalonde has participated in skilled trades competitions across the country, capturing a regional gold medal thanks to a win at Skills Canada BC’s 2024 provincial competition. The win granted her a trip across the country to compete at Nationals against the country’s top talent, an opportunity that allowed her to showcase her skill set to industry peers and professionals.
“I took home gold,” recalled Lalonde. “I beat out two, Year 3 boys that had a few thousands of hours of work experience, plus more schooling than I had. And then I got to go to Quebec.”
Outside of her 9-5 role with Motion and participating in skills competitions, Lalonde is an advocate for women in trades, and is encouraging other women to give the industry a try as she did prior to jumping into the world of millwrighting.
“I wouldn’t be scared to put yourself out there and try something new,” Lalonde stated. “There’s a lot of stigma around certain things but I found through my journey so far, there are employers out there that handle things very well and want women in the trades…There’s lots of resources available to women trying to get into trades…the BC Centre For Women in Trades (BCCWITT) and the BC Trades Equity Society.”
Lalonde’s involvement with CFBC dates back to August 2024, where she spent a week with Discover a Trade camp participants, engaging in a number of introductory, trades-related activities. Her involvement at the camp was made possible in large part from the support and encouragement of her employer, Motion Industries, who were also sponsors of the camp itself.
