Where are you from and how did you first hear about A Few Good Lads?
I’m from Melbourne, Australia, and I came to Canada for my Canadian partner. I was living in Ontario looking for work and came across A Few Good Lads, who I heard could help provide work for newcomers to Canada. I reached out straight away and a few days later I was in a meeting with Matt, the CEO. I started in an operations position and quickly moved up to become a Human Resources Business Partner.
What was the process like for you to move to Canada and start working with A Few Good Lads?
I moved to Canada during COVID, so it was tough. This was also back when you had to get a company willing to provide a job offer letter to help activate a visa. I had to put a lot of trust in the team to help with this process, and they had to put a lot of trust in me to provide the opportunity to help me get my visa. This is how we helped a lot of other workers coming over who weren’t able to come as companies didn’t want to take on people who didn’t already have visas. This helped put us on the map by providing newcomers with this unique opportunity to sort out their job and visa at the same time.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the trades?
I didn’t have a career in trades prior to working at AFGL, so I had to learn a lot on the go about the construction industry and the type of work we do. My background is HR, and I’ve previously worked in other industries such as education, automotive, and not-for-profit. I’m always learning more about construction. For example, I just bought my first house and have had to get on the tools to fix some things up. It puts into perspective the amount of work our workforce puts in for our clients’ projects and how beneficial our training programs are for them. Working here has dramatically changed my perspective and appreciation of the trades and just how complex and intricate the work really is.
What are the differences between your previous experience in other industries and Australia?
Being in Canada, one key thing I’ve noticed is just how diverse it is both within the company and across the country. Having to communicate with people from all walks of life is something you have to get a good understanding of. The construction industry is quite fast-paced, especially providing labor; a lot changes and a lot happens on the fly. You have to do a lot of forward planning. Also, because we provide a service, we’re always adapting to continue to provide as much value as possible to the client.
How have A Few Good Lads supported you in your professional journey?
Matt and the team have been incredible for myself and others in helping people get to Canada. Coming from other countries ourselves, we all go through the same process that our temporary workforce goes through to get here, even if they’re just working with us for a short period of time. It makes us want to help them as much as possible to show that we’ve been through the same thing and we understand what it’s like. It’s not just the visa we help with. Everything from accommodation to SIN numbers, or local sports clubs and insights into public transit. A lot of people come over with no knowledge of these things, and it takes a while to figure it out on their own, but we provide that as soon as possible so that they land on their feet when they get here.
What percentage of the office team has immigrated to Canada?
Everyone that our team deals with is from outside of Canada and has shared experiences moving here from all over the world, including Australia, Ireland, England, and Brazil.
What is the biggest thing that differentiates AFGL from other recruitment companies?
We see ourselves as a long-term solution to your career in Canada, whether it’s providing insights into the industry or helping to find a more permanent position somewhere else. We have a lot of industry connections, and we love to help our workers get their foot in the door so they can have a successful long-term career in Canada, whereas other companies aren’t putting that worker ahead of the jobs.
What do you enjoy most about living in Canada?
I thought I would enjoy the snow more, but living in Ontario, I’ve only gotten to the ski slopes once. In some ways it’s similar to what growing up in Australia is like, but it’s also incredibly different. It’s a completely different experience meeting new people from many different countries and creating new friendships and relationships.
Have you picked up any new hobbies or interests since moving here?
I play Aussie rules football here, which I also played back home before I came here. I haven’t been here for too long to pick up many new things, but I’ve started getting into sports like baseball and basketball, which aren’t hugely popular at home.
What are your professional goals for the next few years?
I’m looking at getting my CHRL designation for HR, which is the next step for Canadian certifications since I have my undergrad and master’s in HR already. I’m also trying to develop more in HR within the context of the construction industry and making connections in this field. For us, it’s trying to develop the company as best as possible to continue to create a good working culture, expand into new industries so we can provide new labor solutions and working opportunities for people. We just want to do our part to help reduce the labor shortage out there.
How do you see your career developing with the support of A Few Good Lads?
They allow me the freedom and give me the confidence to take my career in the direction I want to and implement any initiatives that would benefit the company and its employees.
What advice would you give to other international workers considering a move to Canada and a career in the trades?
If you’ve never thought about the trades as a working abroad experience, then definitely give it a shot. It’s an incredibly fun work experience, but it’s also a way to find your feet in a new country, working outside, and companies are open to taking on workers without a ton of experience just as long as they have a good attitude and work ethic. Even if you’re looking at working in a different industry, a company like ours can be that bridge to help you find your feet and get situated while you look for other work, and our recruitment team will happily help you with that.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with A Few Good Lads or your journey in Canada?
Any newcomers coming to Canada should just have a go, show willingness and adaptability in whatever you’re doing. There are some industries with a big shortage of labor and others that are quite competitive, so just give it a go and see what works out.