Jason Bird

SIIT Programs: Carpentry Level I & II
Graduated: 2004
Campus: Saskatoon
Home town: Meadow Lake

I was born in Meadow Lake, but I have called Saskatoon home for over 15 years. Originally, I had been involved in construction for quite sometime, especially working with my dad, as well as various construction companies over the years. In 2001, a Job Coach from Construction Careers Saskatoon dropped by a job site where I was working to find out if anyone would be interested in becoming an apprentice. I was very interested and on February 12, 2002 I signed up as an apprentice and became indentured through SIIT's Joint Training Committee! In my first interview with Construction Careers Saskatoon my short term goal was to find work, but my long term goal was to become a Journeyperson Carpenter. Finally, on April 25, 2008 my long term goal came true as I attained my Red Seal Inter-Provincial Journeyperson Status in the trade of Carpentry.

I attended the Level I and Level II Carpentry training at SIIT in Saskatoon and went on to finish my Level III and Level IV with the SIAST Palliser Campus in Moose Jaw. While attending SIIT, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the new skills that I was learning. I liked the fact that the tuition was covered and the outreach given to me by the Institute so that I could become indentured.

My advice for new apprentices is to be open-minded, do not have too high of expectations, pay attention in class and you will learn. Be sure to do the homework expected of you and read your books otherwise you will not achieve your highest level. I now have been working for the last two years with Quorex Construction where he I'm very happy to be a part of the team involved with projects at the Prairieland Park and, most recently, the Saskatoon Health Region's Mental Health Facility.

Jason Bird
Red Seal, Carpentry 2008
Quorex Construction