Never give up, says new journeyman cook

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Danielle Majeau is a young Metis woman living in the Edmonton, and is the first Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Project (AAAP) apprentice to graduate from her apprenticeship program. Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training recently issued a journeyman certificate to her.

In 2000, Majeau registered as a cook apprentice. After working as an apprentice for a short period of time, she moved to Saskatchewan. Upon returning to Alberta in 2002, Majeau reactivated her apprenticeship program and joined the AAAP.

Majeau worked in various restaurants and hotels to gain the hands-on experience required for the cook trade. Not all her jobs provided the necessary training required for Majeau to complete her apprenticeship program. Majeau persevered. She never gave up. Majeau's philosophy is that "it doesn't matter what comes your way, keep going."

The cook trade is a three-year program with three sessions of technical training. Technical training can be a daunting task for some people to successfully complete. Majeau encourages people to "stick with it."

Technical training is for a short period of time but is extremely important to your future career. She advises people to "give up your life for two months while you attend technical training. Study hard. You really have to put an effort into it and stay focused." In the end, your efforts will be rewarded. Majeau is living proof of this.

Upon completing her apprenticeship program, Majeau was presented with a number of job opportunities in Alberta and abroad. Majeau is now working for PTI International. She is off to Kabul, Afghanistan to work as a cook in Camp Julian for the next six months. Majeau attributes part of her success to the AAAP "for their support and kindness in helping me achieve this goal." Majeau is now considering registering as a baker apprentice as she recognizes the opportunities a journeyman certificate provides are endless.

Vern Clarke was the second apprentice to complete his program through the AAAP. Clarke started with the AAAP in 2002 as a welder apprentice. Since then, he has worked for a number of employers while completing his welder apprenticeship.

Clarke successfully completed his apprenticeship program earning his Welder Journeyman Certificate and Red Seal. This is the second certificate for Clarke who has previously earned a Crane and Hoist Certificate.

Like Majeau, the AAAP is just the beginning of Clarke's career path. He is also registered as a steamfitter-pipefitter apprentice. As a welder he has two years towards his steamfitter-pipefitter program.

The AAAP was created in response to labor market and training needs in Alberta. It assists qualified Aboriginal people to enter and complete apprenticeship programs. Since its inception in 2001, the AAAP has more than 100 registered apprentices.

Due to its success and the continuing shortage of tradespeople in Alberta, in 2005 the AAAP expanded to include Calgary and Lethbridge. The goal is to register a minimum of 255 Aboriginal apprentices by 2007.