Melanie Perran – Mentor

Melanie Perran is a Red Seal Journeyperson Welder and Mentor Coordinator with the Sisters in the Brotherhood, Local 1009. Mell has 6 years experience in a variety of different areas in her field.

“I’ve always felt like I never got to see any female representation in the trades when I was younger, I feel like I would have chosen my career earlier if I had the inspiration from other strong women in construction.”

Melanie’s goal is to be living proof that we can strive to push against the gender barrier that exists and empower others to take that step towards something that challenges you.

Davinder Kaur – Mentee

Davinder Kaur was born and raised in India and moved to Canada two years ago as an International student. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Designing and a Master’s degree in Business, and recently completed a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management. She is currently a first-year apprentice and a proud member of Carpenter’s
Union local 1588.

Davinder emphasizes the significance of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Award which recognizes individuals, groups, or projects that promote these values across various sectors.

Brilun Construction Ltd. – Employer

BRILUN is a Commercial General Contracting Company incorporated in 1995 – started from a home based business by Brian & Shelley Lund with approximately 6 employees servicing commercial renovations for retail stores and office renovations on existing buildings. They have grown in the past 30 years to an average full time work force of 140 people.

Local earned wages go back into the community, supporting local businesses and volunteering on several different boards and committees. Brilun Construction’s main focus is to support “Cape Breton First”, as much as they possibly can.

Alaura Jaggernath – Mentor

Alaura Jaggernath is a Journeyperson Millwright for Millwrights Union Local 2736 in British Columbia. Alaura is the first Millwright 2736 Sisters in the Brotherhood Chair and currently holds a trustee position on the Millwright’s 2736 Executive Board as a Trustee.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion are important to Alaura because she understands that diverse individuals brings new perspectives to the workforce and that all deserve to have a safe and inclusive work place.

Sarah Israel – Mentee

Sarah Israel is a Millwright Apprentice with Local 1916, Hamilton, ON, and is working towards receiving her Red Seal Certification. As a 2nd year Apprentice, she is extremely passionate about her career and advocating for others to consider pursuing a career in the skilled trades.

Sarah believes that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive in their chosen profession and is committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion both on and off-site. She is grateful for being able to have had great mentors and support along the way and is excited to continue learning and becoming the best Millwright she can be.

CIMS Limited Partnership – Employer

CIMS LP is 100% Canadian owned and operated mechanical contractor serving locations across Canada.

CIMS is an inclusive employer committed to a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we live and work in. Every day, we work towards empowering and advocating for our employees by welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals. They welcome and promote employment within CIMS to Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA2+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds

Desiree Thelma R. Smith – Mentor

Desiree Thelma R. Smith (a.k.a The Floor Diva) is a Journeyperson Floorcovering installer with UBC Local 27. Desiree stands as a highly respected and approachable individual.

Desiree is very active within her local union and the community. She is a founding board member of the Ontario Building Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), an active member of the Sisters in the Brotherhood in the role as Warden, a member of the Equity Inclusion and Diversity Committee, and an active member of the Membership Action Committee.

Desiree’s exceptional efforts and dedication makes her a standout mentor for all.

Vicky Saygnasith – Mentee

Vicky Saygnasith was born in a now no longer existent refugee camp in Thailand, formerly known as Sikhieu, before beginning her Canadian life in Montreal. With a Vietnamese/ Laotian background, she is fluent in Vietnamese, Laotian, English, and French. Vicky is a mother to her four children, Alexis, Darien, Elly, and Livvy.

Driven by her experiences and aspirations, Vicky aims to empower individuals, pursue her Red Seal certification, and contribute to affordable housing initiatives. Her journey reflects resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others

Giancola Aluminum Contractors Inc – Employer

For more than 30 years, Giancola Aluminum Contractors Inc. has provided exterior vinyl and aluminum installation services for homes throughout Ontario.

Giancola Aluminum strives to promote equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in all facets of their company. They ensure all workers throughout the various elements of the company are treated fairly. They respect and value the diverse backgrounds that their staff and subcontractors come from and welcome different perspectives and insights from their team.

Catherine Cayea – Mentor

Cathy has been a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters since 2011. She consistently demonstrates her commitment to creating an inclusive union environment in all aspects of her work and volunteer life. Serving on the SIB Committee, Cathy ensures new women apprentices feel comfortable and included.

Cathy exemplifies what it is to a UBC member. She has taken it upon herself to mentor the next generation of women, indigenous, new Canadians, and tradespeople alike.

Summer Bunn – Mentee

Summer Bunn is a young Indigenous woman from Brokenhead, Ojibway Nation, who is a dedicated and passionate 1st year apprentice with the United Brotherhood and Joiners’ Local 343. She is currently working towards her Red Seal Certification in carpentry with ambitions to also earn a Red Seal in joinery.

Summer is a strong voice within her Local for promoting and advocating for women and Indigenous peoples in the trades. She uses every opportunity as a stepping stone to reach her end goal and will continue to do so until she is successful.

TESC Contracting – Employer

For nearly 50 years, TESC has been bringing expertise and enthusiasm in the face of complexity. A respected leader in integrated construction services, TESC employs 300+ people and partners with clients on Industrial, Infrastructure and Institutional projects, the more challenging the better.

TESC holds a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. With a focus on sustainability, Indigenous engagement, inclusion and community partnerships, we’re building a better future, one project at a time.

Brendon Sant – Mentor

Brendon Sant is a 29 year old Scaffold Journeyman and Chair of the Joint Health Safety Committee for Aluma-Safway at the Syncrude site. With over 10 years in the trade, Brendon has filled many roles, but has taken a pledge to support the training, coaching, and mentoring of members in his local either on a work sites or within his community.

The focus to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to Fort McMurray is a goal of Brendon’s to prove the UBC is the industry leader. He aims to provide opportunities for new, current, and old members to build happy lives while imparting them with a commonsense approach to professionalism, unbiased opinion, strong morals, and ethics within a strong safe work culture.

Madison Kirby – Mentee

Madison Kirby is a 19-year-old Piledriver and first-year apprentice Welder from Vancouver, BC., and a proud member of UBC Local 2404. Madison starting welding in high school at the age of 16 and spent much of her time in the shop making small projects. She later began working full time at a welding and fabrication shop where she gained valuable experience building various aluminum trucks for 2 years.

Madison is working towards becoming a Red Seal Welder and a journeywoman Piledriver. She actively encourages women to consider joining the trades.

Western Grater Contracting Ltd. – Employer

Western Grater was formed in 1982 and has proudly served the Vancouver Island and BC Coast Construction Market for over 40 years. They have been steadily creating a culture where everyone is celebrated in their company, with the firm intent of attracting diversity. They strive to treat each employee as an individual while celebrating everyone’s unique background.

Western Grater aren’t shy to promote that diversity is not only the right moral business objective, but that it also has allowed them to meet their profitability and market objectives.

William (Bill) Johnstone – Mentor

Bill Johnstone is a Red Seal Carpenter with almost 25 years in the trade, working in all sectors from residential through to commercial, infrastructure, and industrial sites.

Throughout his career, Bill has witnessed and embraced changing technology and evolving work practices that remove many of the physical barriers to entering the field, especially for members of equity deserving groups.

“If you want to eliminate sexism and racial injustice in the workplace, join the Union. Get involved. Go to meetings.”

Adrianne Dewhurst – Mentee

Adrianne Dewhurst began her career in the trades operating heavy equipment in Dawson City’s gold mining sector. She ran a gold plant for five seasons to save for her university education in Kinesiology at UBCO. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced classes online, she decided to continue with her career as an Operator.

Adrianne understands the importance of leading by example in her community. She is committed to learning to be a leader in the trades, and demonstrates every day that she is a leader in life.

Brock Canada Industrial Ltd. – Employer

Brock Canada Industrial Ltd. stands at the forefront of the construction industry, distinguished not only by their expertise but also by their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Integrated into the corporate fabric, this ethos ensures that every individual feels valued and empowered.

At Brock, DEI aren’t just values to uphold, they are fundamental to their identity. While proud of their achievements, they acknowledge that the journey towards true inclusivity is ongoing. Together, we will continue to build a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Alain Lejeune – Mentor

Alain a commencé dans le coffrage il y a un peu plus de 15 ans. Le 23 mai 2023, une tuile lui a tombée sur la tête : Alain a reçu un diagnostic de cancer de stade 4 et qu’il lui restait quelques mois à vivre. Alain a décidé de se battre.

Après 6 mois de rémission, Alain a non seulement battu le pronostique du temps qui lui restait, il a réussi à stabiliser son état au point où il est de retour sur les chantiers à temps plein depuis janvier 2024.

Tomy Aupin-Vibert – Mentee

“Quand je suis arrivé dans l’équipe à Alain, je sortais tout juste de l’école. Tout de suite il a vu le potentiel en moi et il m’a pris sous son aile. Grâce à l’expertise et aux méthodes de travail qu’il a su m’enseigner, j’ai réussi à me démarquer de mes pairs et je suis non seulement devenu compagnon, mais à 25 ans, je suis maintenant chef d’équipe sur des chantiers d’envergure.”

Construction LJP Inc. – Employer

Les Constructions LJP ont acquis leur expérience sur des centaines de projets et en coffrant des millions de pieds carrés. Maintenant solidement impliqués dans le secteur institutionnel et commercial, ils oeuvrent principalement dans la région montréalaise et sa banlieue. Ils sont fiers de leur réputation de rigueur et de qualité. Le respect des échéanciers et le dépassement des attentes de leurs clients servent comme motivation. Depuis plus de 40 ans, ils ont réalisés la plupart des plus importants projets montréalais, prouvant ainsi leur expertise dans le domaine.