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The Real Deal on Skilled Trades - Mentor Profiles

Graphic profile of welder Lauren Padolina with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: Curved left-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. AMDSB and HPCDSB logos at bottom. Photograph of Laurin Padolina in circle with orange frame. Below the frame is the following text: Laurin Padolina, Van Nes Custom Welding, level 3 apprentice welder. Laurin is dressed in camouflage overalls and a black long-sleeved shirt and wears a leather welding glove. She stands with her arms crossed, facing the camera. Her long dark hair is in a messy braid. A little girl dressed in a white dress and blue sunglasses runs in the background, between Laurin and a large sunny window. To the right of the photograph is a quote: "Do the things that you think might be just outside of your reach, but they intrigue you and they call your name." - NASA Astronaut Christina Koch. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Laurin went from Broadway to barns and from high heels to working at heights. As a new mom, her major career change from musical theatre to welding was born out of necessity. She needed financial stability and a new career that was equally adventurous and fulfilling as the arts had been. She didn't know it at the time, but TTG's 4 month pre-apprenticeship program offering an introduction to Welding and Fabricating would be the beginning of a very dynamic and successful career as a welder." The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. 
 
Graphic profile of welder Abigail Zondervan with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: "Welding is an excellent trade if you like working with your hands and is a good trade to learn a lot of new skills." - Abigail. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Abby graduated from high school three years ago and started welding shortly after that in a factory in Stratford. Her focus was on cosmetic welding and that was when she fell in love with the trade and shop life. Abby currently works at Accumetal Manufacturing in Stratford focusing on welding mig and tig. She just completed the 8-week placement of her pre-apprenticeship program and is excited to get started on her welding apprenticeship." To the right of the quote and bio is a photograph of Abby Zondervan in a circle with orange frame. In the photo, Abby has her blonde hair pulled back and she is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a dark collared shirt. Below the frame is the following text: Abigail Zondervan, just finished the pre-apprenticeship program through the Technical Training Group and is starting a welding apprenticeship. The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. Accumetal Manufacturing Incorporated logo. Curved right-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. HPCDSB and AMDSB logos at bottom. 
 
Graphic profile of automotive service technician Victoria Howard with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: Curved left-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. AMDSB and HPCDSB logos at bottom. Photograph of Victoria Howard in circle with orange frame. Below the frame is the following text: Victoria Howard, automotive service technician - journey person. DeJong Auto logo. Victoria is dressed in blue coveralls and has her hair pulled back. She is looking at the camera and smiling with a red car up on a hoist behind her. To the right of the photograph is a quote: "The only limit to the height of your achievement sis the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them." - Victoria. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Victoria is a certified Automotive Service Technician. She has been in the trade for 6 years and has been fully licensed for 2. Victoria has always liked tinkering on cars which led her to take tech classes during high school to help her to learn the knowledge that prepared her for the real world. She participated in two separate co-op experiences in high school the latter one turned into an apprenticeship at her current employer DeJong Auto limited. DeJong Auto Limited focuses on cars, trucks and trailers, which gives Victoria a variety of tasks throughout the day. Once she passed her exam and became a certified journeyperson, she advanced to more challenging tasks where she is learning new things all the time. Her job feels secure and she enjoys learning on the job as vehicles are advancing in technology daily." The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. 
 
Graphic profile of welder and industrial mechanical millwright Eden Lalonde with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: "If you are able to take a co-op in high school, do it. It allowed me to start my career through OYAP before I even graduated." - Eden. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Eden enjoyed working with her hands in high school and took some tech courses. She participated in a co-op where she registered as an apprentice through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) in grade 12. Her OYAP experience started at Integrated Mechanical Services in Stratford and she continues to work there and has almost achieved her second journeyperson status. Eden achieved her red seal as a welder and is currently a third year millwright apprentice. She has worked in the trades full time for just about four years and loves it. She enjoys the shift coverage, working on breakdowns and moving machinery." To the right of the quote and bio is a photograph of Eden Lalonde in a circle with orange frame. In the photo, Eden is wearing clear-framed glasses and a toque, as well as a coat with a red hood. She has her hair down and she is smiling at the camera. Below the frame is the following text: Eden Lalonde, Red Seal Welder and third year apprentice - industrial mechanical millwright at Integrated Mechanical Services. Integrated Mechanical Services logo. The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. Curved right-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. HPCDSB and AMDSB logos at bottom. 
 
Graphic profile of herdsperson Payton Weber with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: Curved left-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. AMDSB and HPCDSB logos at bottom. Photograph of Payton Weber in circle with orange frame. Below the frame is the following text: Payton Weber, assistant herdsperson, BoernView Farms Limited. Payton is looking at the camera and smiling. She has her hair up and is wearing a shirt with a dark collar and a necklace. To the right of the photograph is a quote: "Find what makes you happy, while believing in yourself! Never let anyone question your abilities, work to prove them!" - Payton. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Payton grew up in Perth East Township on her family hobby farm. Having her father being a millwright she dipped her toes in all the tech programs at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School, and fell in love. With her passion for automotive and farming, Payton found a farm just outside of Stratford that would let her practice both trades. She has been an assistant herdsperson for almost 4 years, working with the animals as well as equipment. She will be completing her herdsperson apprenticeship in April 2022." The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. 
Graphic profile of trim carpenter Martina Wendland with quote, bio, photograph, AMDSB, HPCDSB and Real Deal logos.
Long Description: "I adore working with people. Creating. Building. Doing. That feeling at the end of the day when you look around and see a physical transformation. And best of all, the relationships you build along the way." - Martina. Beneath the quote is a bio which reads: "Martina grew up in North Easthope Township with a family of tradesmen. After running her own photography business for seven years, Martina wanted to spend her evenings and weekends with her family and opted to work with a group of general contractors and loved the trim work. After a job offer didn't pan out, Martina was launched unexpectedly back into self-employment and Trim & Thistle was born." To the right of the quote and bio is a photograph of Martina Wendland in a circle with orange frame. In the photo, Martina wears a dusty rose t-shirt and a black wristwatch and holds a black and yellow drill. She faces the smiles as she faces the camera with her blonde hair pulled back and her arms crossed. Below the frame is the following text: Martina Wendland, owner/operator/trim carpenter at Trim + Thistle. Trim & Thistle Interiors logo. The Real Deal on Skilled Trades: The Changing Culture logo. Curved right-hand sidebar with a background pattern of oranges and reds. HPCDSB and AMDSB logos at bottom.