Shannon Tymosko is a 4th year Electrical Apprentice and proud sister of the IBEW Local 105, Hamilton. She is also a Skilled Trades Ambassador, Speaker, and an Advocate.

She originally completed a Child and Youth work diploma and upon completion she worked at a homeless shelter for youth. Here she found compassion, empathy, hope and a better understanding of people and the challenges life can for Mental Health.

Sadly, this job was not one that an individual could thrive on in the GTA and she needed to maintain her college job. This turned into a 10-year unplanned career, as she worked her way up through different positions. It wasn’t until the age of 29 that she discovered she liked working with her hands.

As an ambassador for the trades this has allowed Shannon to combine her passion for people with her new love for the trades. She uses her voice, story, and platform to educate, motivate and inspire change in the industry and the minds of all.

In this episode of Hands-On Heroes, Shannon discussed the challenges of accessing apprenticeships in Canada, noting that most participants are in their late 20s or early 30s, making it difficult for younger people to pursue them as a first career. She emphasized the importance of providing young people with opportunities to gain transferable skills, financial stability, and the chance to explore different career paths.

Valerie highlighted the financial burdens of balancing work, education, and childcare, and suggested that apprenticeships could offer a solution by allowing learning during the day while children are in school.

They also discussed the benefits of apprenticeships, including the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of community.

Shannon explained the steps involved in becoming an apprentice, including the difficulty of finding an apprenticeship position, which is often due to the requirement for employers to take on educational responsibilities.