In the fall of 2022, the Welcome Exchange team welcomed a new team member, Daria Lysenko. Daria joined CFBC two months after her arrival in Canada from Ukraine. With a background in social services to displaced persons, she is a wonderful addition to our team. Through her determination and hard work, we have successfully provided settlement supports to over 150 new arrivals from Ukraine. One of those individuals is Andrii.
In early 2022, Andrii was working on a bulk carrier in the middle of the ocean when he heard that war had broken out at home in Ukraine. What followed next was blur as he and his fellow crew members tried to sort out what would come next. His next steps brought him to Victoria, BC.
Andrii heard about CFBC, and the help we’re providing through Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society. He heard of workshops and employment connection discussions we were hosting and decided to come out and learn more about a career in Carpentry. As a result of his attendance at a Carpentry Gateway discussion in November, he made a connection with the carpentry union and went to work the following week. During a follow up discussion, he shared some insights about his new career.
What do you like most about your new job in the skilled trades?
I like a lot of things. One of them is the team. All my colleagues are open, kind, and hardworking people, you can always exchange a few words with them, joke or ask for help or advice. Another thing is that while working in construction, time flies quite quickly, I have never had the feeling that the day is dragging on too long. In addition, construction jobs offer so many growth prospects. First, you become an apprentice and within a few years you can become a certified professional.
What skills did you find useful in your professional tasks?
Since I am new to this field, I don’t get professional tasks now, but knowing how to use basic hand tools has been useful on-site. You also must be able to do physical work, so my sports background was very useful.
Do you plan to continue in the industry?
YES! I plan to join the carpentry apprenticeship program, get the necessary knowledge, and become a Red Seal Endorsed Carpenter.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to get started in a skilled trade?
If you are not afraid of physical labour, take this step. This is a promising career – with a good salary, the opportunity to learn something new and master many skills that will be useful in all areas of your life. It may not be easy at first but getting started in a new direction is often not easy, no pain, no gain.
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