Can you tell us a little about your background and where you are originally from?
I was born in Sheffield, UK, also known as “Steel Town”. My grandparents and great-grandparents were carpenters, so I started doing carpentry at a young age. My dad is a steel worker and my brother is an electrician, so we’re quite a working-class family. I studied carpentry and joinery, so I did a lot of bench work and furniture building, but I took a shine to construction. I wanted to be an architect at first and then realized it was seven years of university that I didn’t have the money for, so I decided to become a carpenter instead, and never looked back. I loved carpentry because you’re always going to different places and meeting the families whose homes you’re working on. For most, a house is the biggest investment they’ll ever make and they’re trusting you to improve or build it, so I’ve always looked at it as a very important job. People see that you care, get to know you personally, and appreciate the transformation you bring to their living spaces. This connection adds another layer of value, not just in terms of the property’s worth but also in enriching human connections.
When did you come to Canada and what was the motivation for the move?
2012 was when I moved over so it’s been about 14 years now. I came here to see a friend of mine that I met in Vietnam, an Irish guy who settled down over here. I fell in love with the place and decided to stay. So what was supposed to be a 3 months trip to visit him and travel around turned into 14 years and counting!
And what was the process like for you moving here?
Because I had a skilled trade that was in demand back then and still is now I was fortunate that it wasn’t too much of a hassle to get the visa. I got a job as a carpenter and managed to work my way up to being a foreman over quite a short period of time and was there for 3 years. Due to the lack of carpenters there was never a shortage of work. So the company sponsored me to stay and along with my credentials as a ticketed carpenter I was able to get my PR through the BC PNP, provincial Nominee Program for people with skills that are in high demand. The PR process took about a year and then I finally applied for citizenship just 18 months ago.
I think the process was a bit easier than most people’s experiences because I have a skill that’s in high demand and the timing of my move. The points system has changed so it’s harder to get in now compared to when I came over. Also, I was part of only 2% of people that were staying in countries that have construction training and experience. It’s a trend that needs to change because you’ve got all these people that come in that can’t build houses, yet it creates demand for more houses to be built.
Has your perception of the trades changed at all since moving to Canada?
I still see the trades as a good career to pursue, and I think they’re as respected in England as they are here. Many people choose the trades because they genuinely want to, including those like me who could have attended university or taken different paths. In the past, the trades were often seen as a fallback option for those who didn’t get into university, but I believe that perception is changing for the better. It’s a great career that can provide a fulfilling life. You get to see different parts of your city or beyond, instead of just sitting in an office all the time. I miss being on the tools.
What was the inspiration for starting A Few Good Lads?
I knew that a lot of people were getting taken advantage of when they were landing here. A lot of newcomers were getting a raw deal, not getting paid enough, and I was one of them. I also identified that there was a gap in the construction industry for a quality labour provider. So we created A Few Good Lads to address both of these issues at once, catering to Canada’s labour shortage by giving opportunities to workers from overseas.
What’s been the biggest challenge about starting the company?
When the playing field is uneven. I don’t mind competition—in fact, I welcome it—if everyone is playing by the same rules. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. There’s an underground economy in the industry and other factors that are making it unfair for those of us who want to do things right. It’s frustrating to know that our efforts to improve the industry are tarnished by people taking shortcuts
How does AFGL differentiate from other companies in the industry?
We prioritize and look after our lads. We bring new workers into the industry and get them interested in construction, concentrating on bringing in people from overseas. Then we create a pathway where employees can work their way up, earn money, and progress within the industry. I like to think that we’re the first rung on the ladder for getting people into Canada and the construction industry. Other companies are only focused on getting workers on site. To them it’s numbers rather than people. What companies in this industry don’t understand is that treating people right is an investment. It costs us a lot to recruit these lads, bring them in from overseas, get them interested in construction, train them, set them up with housing and sports teams so that they land on their feet when they arrive here. But if your workers are happy and motivated to get the job done, then that investment pays dividends in the long run.
What do you enjoy most about Canada?
I mostly work, right? But I really enjoy my job and what we’re doing here. If we can get it right and generate more business, it’s going to be fantastic. It feels like we can make a real difference to the economy and the industry in Canada, which is something I’m quite proud of. Obviously, the great outdoors here is another big plus. Now, living in Toronto, I don’t get as much of that, but the outdoors in BC was always something special. Another thing I appreciate, though different from back home in the UK where I had easy access to Europe, is the proximity to the United States and Central South America. I haven’t traveled much yet, but I’m looking forward to exploring more of this continent.
What are some goals for you and for the company in the next few years?
I’d like us to expand nationwide eventually. We’re aiming to reach most provinces, though there are some areas we might not venture into just yet. The goal is to open up opportunities for the lads coming over and for people immigrating to Canada, because right now, most immigrants tend to gravitate towards Toronto or Vancouver. There are companies that bring in workers from specific countries to less populated areas, but generally, the trend is towards the bigger cities. I want to shake that up a bit. I’ve traveled from east to west in Canada, and it’s clear that it’s not just the major cities or their surrounding areas that need people; there are rural places that need workers and also people who prefer not to live in big cities. We aim to provide a pathway for workers to settle anywhere in the country, which would also boost local economies. Convincing people to move to places like Saskatchewan can be challenging, but there are people from environments like Australia’s outback who would appreciate and thrive in such settings. This diversification in placement is crucial because Canada’s vast and varied landscape offers something for everyone. It’s a missed opportunity if we don’t utilize this diversity to fill labor shortages and match people with environments where they’d love to stay. I believe even a small percentage opting for rural areas could be a significant advantage for Canada.
What advice would you give to international workers considering a move to Canada and a career in the trades?
I’d say, see as much of the country as you can before you settle. Even if it takes a couple of months, explore first. But once you decide, get stuck in, work hard, and you’ll do well here. There are opportunities here that aren’t available in many other places I’ve lived. As for the trades, I can’t recommend them enough. They’ve provided me with a good life, and I genuinely miss being on the tools. Each day in trades like carpentry brings something new—whether it’s framing, roofing, or fitting kitchens, it’s always changing, and that’s something I’ve always enjoyed. It’s a beautiful pathway where you can make a real difference in people’s lives if you do a good job.
Final thoughts that you want to share about the company or your journey?
I’m really looking forward to the future. We’ve got some beautiful initiatives and developments happening behind the scenes that we’re incredibly proud of, and we’ll be sharing more about these soon. These initiatives are set to change the industry significantly—both the construction industry and immigration patterns. It’s very important to us to see these plans come to fruition, to bring more workers into construction, motivate them to come to Canada, stay here, and become part of the Canadian way of life. As a proud Canadian citizen myself, it’s deeply rewarding to help others find the same pride and place here. If we can instill this sense of belonging and get more people into the trades, it’s a win-win-win for everyone involved. I love seeing these kinds of positive outcomes.