Employee Success Stories

At Westworks we encourage our people to grow as professionals and as people, even if that means they need to change paths. Below are the stories of a few past employees that decided they wanted a change, and used the experience they earned at Westworks to springboard them to new heights. Many of our past employees are still friends with guys in Westworks and attend our annual Holiday Party. 

Kailen 

Kailen began his carpentry career in the Carson Secondary Apprenticeship Program with sponsorship from Westworks. Kailen had struggled during his academic life, as he is an individual with ADHD. At Westworks, he was given the right opportunities and emerged as one of the most driven and detail-oriented members of the crew. After completing his Apprenticeship, Kailen stayed at Westworks as a carpenter/foreman for over 5  years. Recently, he accepted a job as a Facilities Manager for a large Vancouver company and has since worked his way up to being a Manager of Operations. Kailen’s story illustrates that everyone has something to contribute, they just need the opportunity to show what it is.

 

Ryan

Ryan started his carpentry career without much guidance, working for unorganized contractors. Ryan joined Westworks and started working toward an apprenticeship. At Westworks, he emerged as a gifted organizer and was given the responsibility of running small jobs before he even hit his third year of apprenticeship. Ryan finished his apprenticeship and was a successful carpenter/foreman for years with Westworks. Now he has gone on to found his own construction company on the North Shore.

 

Colin

Colin was an accountant for a large corporation for most of his life. Eventually, he decided that he wanted a career change. He was looking for a career that was engaging and, being a single father, offered him enough flexibility to spend time raising his two kids.  Westworks offered him a job in construction, giving him plenty of opportunity to improve his skill set.  After his kids went off to university, Colin was hired full-time at Vancouver Aquarium doing Maintenance and Construction.

 

John

John, like many others, did not enjoy the academic-side of high school. He entered an apprenticeship program in grade 11 with Westworks as his sponsor. After graduating, John worked as a successful carpenter at Westworks for about 10 years. After his time at Westworks, John was hired for a job with the City of North Van. He is currently working his way up to a management position with the City.

Brett

When Brett was a young man, Westworks was fortunate to pick up his apprenticeship. He worked through his apprenticeship and became a carpenter/foreman for Westworks for many years. After having a son, Brett ventured-off to start his own contracting firm. His company has been operating successfully for over five years.