It started here at SAIT: award-winning alumni find successful careers in the trades
On the left, Michael Plante is seen accepting an award of excellence as an HVAC apprentice, and a look at Robin Leung’s framing work on the right.
Michael Plante (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic ’24) spends a lot of time chilling in -20 walk-in freezers or on a roof working on an HVAC unit. Sometimes he’s figuring out if the door seal is compromised or a drain line is plugged.
In another quadrant of Calgary, framing carpenter Robin Leung (Carpenter ’23) could be reading plans for a multi-story apartment, operating a crane on a new development or identifying framing priorities for a drug recovery centre. Leung is a site foreman at Sawback Builders, which means each day brings a variety of framing tasks to complete, ensuring the structures of future buildings are fit to support their final form.
Plante and Leung are proof that SAIT apprenticeships open doors to meaningful careers, so the city’s infrastructure is looking and operating at its best.
Both recently earned recognition as Alberta’s Top Apprentices — Plante in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Leung in Carpentry — joining 18 other SAIT alumni celebrated by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Apprenticeship and Industry Training this year.
It’s a feather in the cap of the individuals recognized, but also for SAIT and industry partners.
“Alberta’s Top Apprentice Awards highlights the skills, resilience and professionalism that keep our province moving,” says Alan MacLean, Director of the Office of Apprenticeship at SAIT.
“Seeing 20 winners from SAIT this year is a powerful testament to that approach. It reflects the consistency of our training, the commitment of our apprentices and sponsors, and SAIT’s leadership in apprenticeship education across Alberta and Canada.”
Here’s a peek into what inspired Plante and Leung to choose their trade and build meaningful careers.
Start at SAIT in pre-employment or as an apprentice
Plante was a high schooler working at a car wash when his boss told him he’d be a good fit for HVAC. Having no one in his life in the trade who could introduce him to the basics, he registered for the pre-employment program at SAIT, travelling from Medicine Hat to Calgary to study here.
“I love troubleshooting and understanding how things work. That’s why this trade is such a good match for me,” says Plante.
The pre-employment program — designed for individuals without an employer or those exploring the trade — emphasizes safety on the job, because we know participants might be stepping into a production facility or industrial environment for the first time.
Apprenticeships and pre-employment
Ever wonder how apprenticeships and pre-employment programs work? We’re connecting the wires.
Learning to recognize a leak detector or caulking gun before jumping into an apprenticeship proved helpful for Plante, because HVAC is a trade that demands some independence.
“It gives you confidence going into the trade, and your employer as well, because they know if they ask you to bring them a tool, you’ll know what they’re talking about,” he says.
Leung, on the other hand, started his carpentry apprenticeship in 2019, completing it in December 2023. His first job was doing foundations and framing for custom houses before he joined Sawback Builders in 2020, which works on custom framing projects.
How excellence motivates Plante and Leung in their trades
If Plante comes across a challenge at work, something he doesn’t understand, he’ll ask questions until he comes up with the answer, just like he did at SAIT.
“I’d go home at night and research why an HVAC system worked a certain way. I was a bit of a nerd that way.”
Now, if a furnace is broken and the answer’s not obvious, he’ll call up the manufacturer to brainstorm solutions. After all, the companies building the products want happy customers, and so does he. Beyond fixing the current issue, he’ll try to understand how to ensure it doesn’t keep happening.
“My definition of excellence is somebody that tries their best and doesn’t just take no as an answer but looks to the why of the problem.”
Did you know?
Skills competitions are another great way for apprentices under 25 to boost their resume and show excellence in their trade.
Leung wanted to be the most valuable employee he could, which is why he became Red Seal certified, providing him the skills needed to become a carpenter in any province in Canada.
Excellence for Leung means being professional and confident in your trade but also recognizing there is so much to learn in the construction industry.
“Lead by example, whether it is in work ethic or conduct towards others.”
Built for the trades
Whether it’s in carpentry or HVAC, many trades offer the promise of lifelong learning and variety in each working day.
Consider framing carpentry if you’re:
- likely to take initiative
- not afraid of heights
- able to visualize things easily
“Good framers know how to get the job done fast, but in a safe way. Be prepared to work in any weather, think ahead, take initiative, work hard and stay focused,” says Leung.
HVAC is a good fit if you:
- like to fix things
- understand how machines work
- enjoy learning every day
“Everything’s always evolving and changing, so someone who likes new challenges is a good candidate for this industry,” says Plante.
Next up, give it a go
Michael’s advice? If you’re curious about a trade like HVAC — give it a go!
“The worst that can happen is you try something and you don’t like it.”
Jump into a trade today!
Becoming the best you can be means starting somewhere.
If you don’t have a job lined up yet — there’s pre-employment.
With a mentor or journeyperson already — discover apprenticeships.
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.