Andrew first started working with EMBERS Staffing in November 2022 after learning about us on Craigslist. Over the past two years, Andrew has worked various positions. He started as a General Labourer, has done Skilled Labour, Traffic Control Person (TCP) and Occupational First Aid (OFA) work, and is now employed as a Construction Safety Officer (CSO). Andrew’s recent accomplishments are not only a testament to his hard work and dedication but also a source of inspiration for those around him.
Before EMBERS, Andrew did not have stable housing and was living in a tent at UBC. As Andrew describes:
“EMBERS changed my life. I was living in a tent at UBC. I actually quite liked it but as my Life Counsellor put it, ‘it must be getting a little stale, no? What do you want to do with your life? What are your three dreams?’ One of those dreams was to have a place. Because of EMBERS I have a place now. It was because of the introduction by Holly [EMBERS Worker Support/Outreach Worker] to EMBERS’ Life Counsellor that I was able to start seeing light.”
Andrew, EMBERS Staffing Worker
Andrew is a participant of EMBERS’ Worker Support program, which provides wrap-around support to EMBERS workers. Support services include connecting people with free or low cost resources in the community, such as discounted groceries and free meals, in addition to life counselling and housing search support. The program is customizable to provide people with the extra support they need to reach their career goals.
Through the Worker Support program, Andrew was able to find housing, which has been fundamental in continuing to grow his career. It’s difficult to focus on work without a stable place to live. “They got me a place to live, got me a turkey at Christmas, a brand new suit. Long story short, people ask me ‘why do you work for EMBERS?’ I like EMBERS and I want to work there because they set me up.”
Andrew has also been a participant in our training programs and has achieved three different certifications through EMBERS. Most recently, Andrew completed his Construction Safety Officer certification which is a huge achievement! Andrew applies his personal experience in the many roles on site which helps him daily as a Construction Safety Officer. For example, “on the site now, we have three TCPs and two are exposed to the weather. So they asked me if we could build them a box. I asked the Superintendent to build them a hut. I can relate. It really helps me as CSO. It helps me with the labourers too because I understand the role and how they can progress.”
Andrew is enjoying his role as a CSO; “I was drawn to it because I think I am well suited for it. It’s a rather mysterious position. We wear the white hat, which means you are either a supervisor, inspector, surveyor, company owner or CSO. You’re doing a lot of jobs. Where I am now is a seven year project. I like the variety of work and I like helping out my coworkers. Also, I am a bit of a stickler at heart so if something is not proper it is satisfying to correct it.”
Andrew’s long-term goal is to become a Site Superintendent and he views being a Construction Safety Officer as valuable experience on the path towards his goal.
A big congratulations to Andrew for achieving his Construction Safety Officer certification. We are so grateful to our EMBERS Staffing workers, like Andrew, who choose EMBERS on their employment journey. It is an honour to be a small part of someone’s story and provide them with the opportunities they need to succeed. We look forward to seeing how Andrew’s career progresses and know he will be successful at whatever he does!
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