Tell us about your background and what brought you to Vancouver
I’m originally from Austria, a small town in the south, close to Italy and Slovenia. I studied cultural studies for my bachelor’s degree and then completed a master’s degree in sports culture and event management.
I wanted to get away from home for a while. I’ve always lived in Austria, and it’s not very international. I wanted to meet people from different parts of the world and have an abroad experience. I am on a two-year working holiday visa and have been here for about a year and eight months, since last March.
How did you first hear about A Few Good Lads, and what was the process like to get started?
I joined a Facebook group for German-speaking working holiday people, and someone recommended A Few Good Lads there. I did some research, applied, and then got in touch with the team. The visa process was pretty straightforward, and after a couple of months of trying to find work, I reached out to A Few Good Lads on a Friday in May. They got back to me quickly, and by Monday, I was already working!
What inspired you to pursue a career in trades, and was this your first time working in construction?
This was my first experience with construction. I didn’t have any previous experience, but I needed a job, and I didn’t realize you could start in construction without experience. I’ve always been interested in trades and how buildings are constructed, so I thought I’d give it a try.
What specific trade are you working on now? And do you think you’d be interested in upskilling?
My work is a mix of general labor and some skilled labor. The site I’m on is huge, with three towers being built. Most of the work is general labor, but I get to use power tools like drills, skill saws, and grinders. I also did some plumbing with another company here in Canada, so I have a bit of plumbing experience, too.
Right now, I’m happy where I am, especially since I’ll likely return to Austria next year. I considered upskilling, but it doesn’t seem worth it given my plans to leave. However, I’d be interested in project management in the future. I like the idea of organizing and leading people, and I could apply my construction experience with my background in event management.
How is it working as a woman in a male-dominated industry?
I was a bit worried before joining because I had mostly worked with women. I wasn’t sure how it would be working with tough construction guys, but it’s actually been great! The guys have been really helpful. I’m not very strong, so when there’s heavy lifting, I ask for help, but everyone’s been supportive, and we all joke around a lot. I’ve had more fun working with the guys than I did working with women.
How have A Few Good Lads supported you in your professional journey?
A Few Good Lads has helped me settle in and introduced me to trade labor. It opened my eyes to a new line of work and has given me experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Though I don’t talk to them one-on-one very often, when I have questions, they always respond quickly and make sure I’m doing well at the job sites.
How do you feel that A Few Good Lads differentiates itself from other companies in the industry?
I’ve only worked with A Few Good Lads and one other company, but the communication with A Few Good Lads has been amazing. When I had questions or didn’t like a particular job site, they responded quickly and made sure I was happy and comfortable. I didn’t get that level of support from the other company, which makes A Few Good Lads stand out to me.
What do you enjoy most about living in Canada, and have you picked up any new hobbies since moving here?
I love how vibrant Vancouver is. There’s always something happening—events, different cultures, and so much to explore. The city has a perfect mix of ocean, mountains, and big city life, and I enjoy trying different foods and meeting people from around the world. I’ve also done some skiing and snowboarding back in Austria, but here I tried canoeing for the first time, and it’s been one of my favorite activities. The views while canoeing around the mountains and waterfalls in the Lower Mainland were amazing.
What are your professional goals for the next few years, and what advice would you give to international workers considering Canada?
I’m not sure if I’ll stay in construction. I might come back to Canada in a few years, but for now, I’d like to get back into event management, particularly with concerts and festivals. I also think I’d enjoy project management, especially if I could combine my experience in construction with event management skills. My advice for other international workers would be to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Plans often don’t go the way you expect, and I thought I’d get into event management here, but that didn’t work out. The key is to be flexible and embrace new opportunities, like construction. You’ll learn a lot, and even if things don’t go as planned, you can still have a great experience.