Meet Jessica Patrick! Being part of the trades has been a way of life for her.

At a young age in her Papa’s heavy duty mechanics and welding shop, Jessica Patrick’s trades journey began. The early exposure ignited her passion for the field and she credits her strong work ethic to her grandparents who instilled these values in her even before she could read or write. Jessica’s upbringing in the shop and influence of her grandparents have played a significant role in shaping her career and love of welding.

Academic Success and Recognition

Because she always pushed for 100-110% in her classes, Jessica excelled as a top graduate in welding earning bursary and recognition from the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and was the honored guest for the 125th alumni anniversary. She felt the need to work even harder when she noticed her female classmates struggling and dropping out. Her decision to push harder underlines a sense of responsibility to not only succeed personally but to also pave the way for other women in the welding industry.

Philosophy of Resilience

Jessica’s philosophy is clear; In the face of encouragement or rejection, encourage others not to back down and find another way to learn. Jessica firmly believes that if one path is blocked it should be seen as an opportunity to explore alternative avenues for growth and knowledge. Jessica recommends practicing positive self-talk and preparing for challenges. For instance, if there is an uncertainty about the process or tools, Jessica suggests using resources like youtube, the internet or the library to get ahead of the learning curve. The key is to be proactive in gaining knowledge, enabling tradeswomen to confidently “talk the talk and walk the walk” in their respective fields.

Advice for Tradeswomen

Jessica’s advice for tradeswomen is to seek out opportunities to learn and grow. By staying proactive you will stay ahead of the curve and don’t underestimate the power of self-positivity. A positive mindset can work wonders in boosting your confidence and overall performance. She recalls her experience and offers the advice that “having a backbone and an awesome attitude” will help you navigate the differences and similarities in characteristics of your coworkers.

Helping Others

Jessica advocates for a more inclusive and collaborative trades industry. She emphasizes the need to eliminate discrimination. She envisions a culture where individuals share knowledge and support each other and believes that fostering a cooperative atmosphere would not only benefit companies within the trades industry but also contribute to improved personal and home lives for everyone involved.

It’s Your Turn

If you have been thinking about a career in the skilled construction trades or are currently enrolled in an apprenticeship program, give the Office to Advance Women Apprentices a call 1-866-702-6292(OAWA) so we can be a resource for you along your journey!