Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Good morning form of Murray wood, Buffalo in the rest of the world. You've tuned in to the Mac city morning show. I'm your host, Elliot, Pierre. And we are going to start the show off the same way we start every show off with a moment of gratitude. I know you could be doing a million other things with your time. And the fact that you're spending with us truly does mean the world to me. So thank you very much on that note. Tanner hit him with the intro.
Speaker 1 00:00:22 Oh, she caught me, loves near listen to the next anymore.
Speaker 0 00:00:31 All right. And we're back. I'm excited about this guest. Uh, me and this gentlemen have, uh, worked together on many projects throughout the years. Um, but we are guilty of wasting lots of time together. So, um, it's going to be a fun episode. The feet are kicked up on the table cause that's the kind of guys we are. We're just laid back. I, uh, I do not introduce my guests. I let them do that themselves. So on that note, sir, can you please tell the people at home who you are? Sure.
Speaker 2 00:00:55 Uh, so my name's Eric Leatham, I'm a program coordinator with careers next generation. I've been in Fort McMurray now for 12 years, the last two and a half, I've been working with careers. I'm also a hockey coach for my little guy, as well as a baseball coach, which thankfully we got to start again last night, which is very exciting.
Speaker 0 00:01:13 Your little guy is your doppelganger. It's unbelievable how much he looks like you he's cursed. Um,
Speaker 2 00:01:24 I do take great flattery in it. Cause there's, there's two things that people always say, which is he's so cute. Okay. And he looks just like you
Speaker 0 00:01:32 Winning, winning. Yeah. I saw a picture of him a few days ago online. I was like, oh my Lord. Like easier.
Speaker 2 00:01:40 Yeah. His, uh, he's he's grown up the mop. Pretty good. Has, yeah. As you saw, he's trying to be what Carey price had for the, for the flow at the start of the playoffs.
Speaker 0 00:01:48 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you find that he likes the stuff you like, like his, you know, he only looks, he not only looks like you, he's kind of similar to you.
Speaker 2 00:01:56 Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. He's a, he's into all the same things. I'm into cheers for the same teams. We're sharing on the Habs here. As we get, uh, go forward here for one more win to get to the finals. I think so.
Speaker 0 00:02:08 We'll see. We'll get there. We'll see. We'll get there. We'll see. That's cool that he likes what you like. My kid it's half and half. Like for awhile there, I was like, oh man, like he was going in the direction of like my wife. Uh, but over the last few months, like this weekend, which I thought I would love, but I F I hate it. He, I started skateboarding. Oh yeah. He's been seeing like all the decks in the garage and snowboards and stuff. And he's like, he's been scootering and he's been riding his bike. He's like this weekend, I think I want to learn to skateboard. And I was like, okay, cool. But then he started taking some hits and I was like, oh, this is not cool. Like, my, my stomach has a dad was like, whoa. But listen, he rocked. It took him to a skate park and everything and kept going so nice. You never know what these kids though. They're
Speaker 2 00:02:57 Fine. As long as you don't tell them they're hurt. They don't know that's right.
Speaker 0 00:02:59 You gotta just be like tough it up. Come on, keep going. Okay. It's awesome. That's right. Not until they see mom where it's like game over. Exactly. Yeah. So with careers, let's just get this out of the way. Cause I don't want to talk to you about careers, but I recognize you have to talk about careers. Um, you do something very specific with them. You work in a certain yeah.
Speaker 2 00:03:19 So I manage the co-op program. So we deal with youth here in the community that typically 18 to 25 years of age. Right. Um, I manage about 120 apprentices here across nine different trades. And uh, basically we take them right from being green, as grass and knowing nothing about anything to a certify journey. People that are the workforce that are our community here really needs. It's an amazing opportunity. It really is. These these kids, as I said, some of them know lots of stuff coming in, which is great, but some of them really know nothing. And um, you know, to see these kids 2220, I call them kids I'm old, but these young adults, 22, 23 years old certified done buying houses, buying trucks, like it's, it's impressive what these kids can accomplish with the work they
Speaker 0 00:04:05 Put in. It's unbelievable. Like, um, I think there is probably about like 10 or 12 of us that I grew up with like buddies of mine. And I think I might be the only one who didn't go into the rap program. And, um, I'm glad I didn't, it wasn't for me. I don't, I don't want to be able to cite hat goes off to everybody who does cause that's work. Like it really is. But these of my buddies who went out there, like the trajectory of their careers have mimicked mine extremely closely in regards to fair enough. Like I didn't want to be in a labor position. Um, but these guys made way more money than I did right off the bat like that. We're not even, it's not even comparable because they're ticketed journeymen by the time they're like 21, 22 years old. But as they've stuck around with their organizations, they found themselves moving up into management roles and to safety roles. Some of my buddies run companies in town now, which is horrifying nine to five they're professional. Yeah. But, uh, yeah, like it's unbelievable the opportunity like, and they didn't know this back in the day, they, some of my buddies are like sweet. I don't have to go to school half the time because that's how it used to be like one semester and one semester out the trajectory that their lives took, the opportunities that they've had have been on. Unbelievable. Unbelievable.
Speaker 2 00:05:23 Yeah. No, it's, it's really impressive for them. And um, you know, once they, we do have a lot of kids that ladder from the rap program to the co-op program and our, uh, our off campus coordinators in our schools really help promote that opportunity for them. So, um, like you said, in school, during rap, they're doing this semester on, uh, on the tools and they're doing a semester in school, um, when they apply to co-op, they go into more of a traditional apprenticeship model. So then we're looking at about 10 months of work, uh, two months of school, each year on deleting. Um, but in doing so they get to progress in their, their trade moving forward, which, you know, gets the more money every year. And, um, you know, keeps, keeps them moving on a path. And we do tell them, you know, even that, uh, that certification at the end, that ticket, uh, it's just a ticket to learn. So, you know, they're certified, but where they can go, they can do trades degrees programs, they can ladder their trade certificate and do a university degree. They can move into business management, leadership, executive. Um, really, they're just getting that leg up on everybody else. That's, uh, you know, putting four years into school too, but zero hours into their, into their career. That's
Speaker 0 00:06:25 Right. That's right. And, uh, from a human resource background, I'm just saying, education is great. You got to get it. However experience is paramount.
Speaker 2 00:06:37 Well, and that's where these traits get to get both. They get to the 10 months on the tools, the two months in class, they're getting a, you know, they're getting a college certificate, they're getting a piece of paper at the end. Yeah. But they're getting bank on the way.
Speaker 0 00:06:48 That's right. It's an unbelievable opportunity. And I remember when I, um, when I went to school, I had to do a co-op as well and, uh, a work term and not all work terms are paid for, like, I MacGyvered my way into getting paid for mine. But, uh, when I went to school, you literally had to pay the school to be in the program for them to get you a job that you did for free. So you have to pay to get your experience.
Speaker 2 00:07:17 Yeah, no, our, uh, our program set up really good. I mean, there is very small upfront costs that the kids have to pay and it's not to us. It's just that they've got to have their safety certificates, that industry wants. So they're doing their, um, their CSO and their, uh, CSTs before they apply. Right. Um, crystal mentioned earlier that there's a bit of a, an application process. So there is a, an aptitude test. They have to write, which there's a cost for that. So, I mean, grant grand total, there were probably about $200 into the end of the program, but these things are good to have regardless of their success. That's great. Um, and then, yeah, no, they're, they're full on apprenticeship rates. So they get paid a percentage of what the journey people make as soon as they start. So, you know, day one, whether they know what a ratchet is or not, they're getting paid an apprenticeship.
Speaker 0 00:07:59 Right. That's phenomenal. All right. Let's switch gears. Let's talk about pushups. Pushups. Let's not push, push, push up. Yeah. Okay. You still doing pushups
Speaker 2 00:08:11 Less than I'd like, but more than I used to be able to.
Speaker 0 00:08:13 All right. So like back in the day for the people at home, we were doing a pushup challenge. Yes. And we were just keeping track of push-ups and me and Fred, we decided we were going to do 10 a day and add 10 every day for 30 days. So you get up to like 300 pushups. I date it was a nightmare, but it was awesome. So it got me on the pushup track and I know you were doing your own form of a pushup challenge as well. So let's hear what you maxed out at and what you're at now.
Speaker 2 00:08:45 So I think I made it to day 18. Okay. It's 180, 80 pushups. Um, I didn't want to be one of those guys that skipped leg day either. So I was doing some squats stuff along the way and all that, the body weight workouts. And so, uh, switch gears now. Now I'm doing a hit sessions. Yes. High intensity interval training. Okay. Tell me about this. Uh, Joe, the body coach. He's a YouTube guy. You can check him out. He's got tons of different exercises. He fit 20 to 30 minutes a day. Okay. And, um, summer with weights, summer with body weight and all of them make you sweat. And, uh, yeah, it's, it was really helpful through the, uh, pandemic when I couldn't do anything. And, uh, he actually got hired. I think it was the British board of ed brought him on to do PE with Joe through, uh, oh, he's got kids. One's two. So my son, uh, has gotten into doing Renegade rows. He pulls out the mat and starts pulling his five pounders up.
Speaker 0 00:09:37 And that's awesome. Yeah, it's a, it's one of those things. Like I, when I was a young child, I didn't think that I was that influenced by my father, but it turns out I am very influenced by my father. My siblings call me GPJ, that's my nickname. They don't even call me. I'll eat anymore. They say, GPJ Greg Pierre, Jr. And uh, with my little guy, I'm seeing it now, like the things that I implement in my life, may it be good or bad. He is really picking up on this stuff. So before
Speaker 2 00:10:06 You run too far away, did you make it to day 33,
Speaker 0 00:10:09 A hundred percent. A hundred percent. And could you still, uh, in the way that they were doing like that, when you do the pushup challenge, you have all day to do the 300 pushups. Um, so the answer is 100%. Yes. I can very easily. If you give me all day, do 300 pushups and on a daily basis, it's actually how I start off my day. I do a hundred pushups a day. Excellent. Yeah. So, uh, but yeah, if you gave me the full day, I could bang out to 300 still, but like I try, I tell everybody, like, it's only because of repetition and doing it. Like it was hard the first, the first one, when you hit a hundred, you feel like your chest back arms core are gonna explode. But, uh, if anybody's going to do it at home, the best way to do it is with a buddy that you're completely competitive with and petty about. So like me and Fred would text each other every day and talk trash until it, it promoted me to do it. If I had to do it on my own, I don't think I would, uh, I don't think it would've made it, but yeah, it did make it, but then I did implement your squats into my daily routine as well. So, um,
Speaker 2 00:11:13 Yeah, probably still have those texts of you expressing your displeasure
Speaker 0 00:11:16 With me for, oh, they were the worst things ever. They still are like between squats and wall sits. I can't think of anything. I hate more, but it gets the job done. Body coach makes you do dock walk,
Speaker 3 00:11:29 Getting hit by a bus more, but that'd be pretty rough yields the same. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:11:33 Yeah. And you can't walk even like personal moment, even using the washroom after you do some of these exercises is a challenge. So the one thing I'm doing now, which I'm really excited about is that chin up slash pull up. Oh, I love it. But they're tough.
Speaker 2 00:11:50 I got to get a new one. I, uh, started pull them holding off the door with the,
Speaker 0 00:11:53 Uh, you know, the molding mounted. So I can't do, like, I don't trust them. I know that like my buddy has one and like, I've done it. I'm like, Ooh. Yeah. So I bought a standalone one that's in the garage and uh, it takes up an obscene amount of space just for what, like you're utilizing it for, but I know I'm not coming down with a doorframe. That's yeah. You don't want to eat the bar when you pull it. Exactly it. So on that note though, I know we're, we're running out of time and we do that constantly on this show now. So, uh, there's a segment. It is Tanner's. He's got to give it to you. Get ready for it. It's called the CD minute. Tanner hit them up with the max CD minute. All right.
Speaker 3 00:12:27 Question number one. What is your favorite trade to work with?
Speaker 2 00:12:33 Uh, refrigeration air conditioning mechanic. I think it's one of those ones that there's unlimited opportunity and there's not a lot of interest at this point. Um, you get to work outside, you get to get to do a lot of different things and you get to make really good money along the way.
Speaker 3 00:12:49 Question number two. What is your go-to fast food place when you're hanging out with your kid?
Speaker 4 00:12:55 Oh,
Speaker 2 00:12:57 Well we try and not do that as much. So, I mean, we've been trying to do subway, but the kid loves his McNuggets. So yeah.
Speaker 3 00:13:05 Question number three. What is your favorite memory from working with people and their careers?
Speaker 2 00:13:13 There's too many, but, uh, honestly I think my favorite thing is that these kids, that these young adults that make it through the program and they're certified, they're hired on permanent jobs, lifetime career set up and they come in with a coffee. You just to let you know how they're doing and how things went. I think that's, uh, that's the highlight I live for right now. That's awesome.
Speaker 3 00:13:34 Question number four. What is one unique thing about for McMurray's career market that you haven't noticed in other places?
Speaker 2 00:13:42 The opportunity, um, you know, Fort McMurray, we're a younger demographic, which means younger people are getting opportunities earlier on in their careers and, you know, a showed it to those kids that put in the time, put in the effort and they can really, really jumpstart their future. Um, here in this region that, uh, you know, there's other communities you're waiting for somebody to retire or die before you can get a job and here they can, uh, they can take advantage of it early.
Speaker 3 00:14:07 And your final question, what is one thing you can do in co-op that people might not know about? Well, I mean, there's,
Speaker 2 00:14:16 There's over 50 trades recognized in the province of Alberta. And if anybody wants to get involved in any of those, we will take their application and we will try and find an employer. Um, you know, we look for a commitment from the employers for one year and any of those trades that are, that are out there, we will try and match you up with a great candidate youth, great employer, and, uh, get the career rolling. So, you know, we've got the popular ones here in town that everybody knows of out at the industrial plants and stuff, but, um, there's a lot of ones that people can jump on. Like that refrigeration air conditioning mechanic, there's boilermakers, there's all sorts that we don't have kids yet, but hopefully we will.
Speaker 3 00:14:52 And those have been your five questions.
Speaker 0 00:14:55 Yeah. The coolest thing about what you guys offer is just like, and not to knock any guidance counselors did, they can only teach and talk to so many students. And there's only so many careers that they're just aware of in general, there are so many opportunities out there absolutely that people don't know about. Like the one that you're talking about right now, like unless your dad or a family member is in that you would never hear about that as an option. No.
Speaker 3 00:15:17 Or baking, baking, baking
Speaker 2 00:15:19 Is a trade as a chef.
Speaker 3 00:15:21 This is a cosmetology doing hair.
Speaker 2 00:15:27 Yeah. Hair's one of those ones. That's a very highly regulated and, and interesting how they do. Cause they've got a, they've got their hairdresser school, but yeah. Um, yeah, there's others that, um, are recognized in Alberta that aren't necessarily trades elsewhere as well. So it's, it's worth looking into,
Speaker 0 00:15:43 Looking into and coming to talk to you. And if like you're a young adult who doesn't know what they want to do, like it's worth swinging by and having a chat with you guys or virtually setting up a call. Right.
Speaker 2 00:15:51 Absolutely. Well, I mean, if I can platform for just a second, I mean, this is, this is the call out to, um, you know, if there's any kids that you, you know, what you want to do and it's a trade or you don't know what you're going to do, what you want to do something meaningful, uh, you can call me, you can come and see me. We are in Gregoire, we're at 3 0 5 McDonald Crescent is our new, new address. There you go. We'll be back there. It started July when things start to open. So come on in, have a chat with us. Um, you know, if you're a parent and you want to chat about some opportunities for your kids, again, give us a call, show up. We can, we can help. And I mean, if you're an employer, we need you. Um, we, we have over 1500 interns across the province that we're, we're doing this year. Um, we're funded by industry and government and we're targeting 6,000 interns over the next several years per year. So, uh, we need the employers on board. We have your future workers and you just need to give us a call and we'll, uh, we'll set you up with the great next employee for you.
Speaker 0 00:16:43 There you go. That's awesome. I love it. Now it's the thing to do. Like I got a buddy who literally checks fire alarms who lives in Edmonton and he's killing it. He he's killing it and he's moved his way up. The company's quite high up there, but like literally he can't find anybody check fire alarms. And like, we were talking about it one day and I'm like, what do you mean check fire alarms? And he was like, Elliot, like every apartment building Rexall place. Like you have to check these and it's government regulated, mandated. Uh, you got to check these things. And I'm like, who even knew that it was a career and the amount of money he pays for what these guys have to do is astronomical. And he can't find people to do it because they just are unaware of certain industries. Right.
Speaker 2 00:17:25 Well, and that's the thing. I mean, everybody's trying to think of what the next big thing is. Right. And I mean, everybody knows that there was the talk of autonomous trucks and all that stuff, right. So they're going to drive themselves. Cool. They're not going to fix themselves. No, they're not right. So you've got your mechanic. Well, no, not in my time here. Um, but you know, your mechanic trades are huge. And I mean to keep harping on that refrigeration air conditioning mechanic world, every house has a furnace of them have air conditioners. Every business has heating and cooling. Every apartment building, every grocery store has refrigeration units. Like these are things that are in demand now will be in demand in the future. That's right. And all you gotta do is put in the time and effort.
Speaker 0 00:18:02 And it's a, the one thing when, uh, kids young adults come and talk to me about alternative careers, because I do talk at schools about not looking into something like that. What you just explained is also a transferable skill. Once you learn that component, you can transfer that into other trades that you can leverage and learn a little bit easier. So those transferable skills and a lot of these trades are there.
Speaker 2 00:18:23 Well, and it's the life opportunities. You know, one of our employers in town, he, uh, he worked his way across South Africa, working as a refrigeration air conditioning mechanic just went town to town, working in grocery stores. You got to travel the world just by, uh, you know, doing some basic maintenance along the way. Really
Speaker 0 00:18:38 Cool man. So, uh, Tanner gave me the watch tap. So that means we're, uh, we're out of time. So, uh, you already put in your shameless plug. I liked how you did it. You, you thought we were at that part. So now you've got a bonus shameless plug. So if somebody shout at me, man,
Speaker 2 00:18:54 You know, gotta keep my son Lincoln as my number one, shout out. Cause he's my little man. And uh, you know, he he's gonna want to see this. And uh, so he gets my shout out. But, uh, the big one for me is going to be to, to our kids in the programs. And I mean, through thick and thin through pandemic, through fire, through flood, these kids persevered, they put in the time they put in the effort, um, and they are the future of Fort McMurray and this region here. Um, so shout out to those kids that are killing it every day.
Speaker 0 00:19:20 There you go. Awesome. Well, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, that's been another episode of the max any morning show the man. Thank you for coming. Hopefully you come back again. Cause I know you and me have lots of talk about hopefully you guys enjoyed it. Hopefully you're having a great day. Thank you for taking the time and spending with us and we'll see you tomorrow.
Speaker 5 00:19:57 Talk about quenching your ugly thirst.
