Trade troubles? NBCC staying positive

By Michael MacDonald

WOODSTOCK – For all the talk of economic turmoil and forecasted downturns in the industry here in New Brunswick, instructors and students of the trades from the New Brunswick Community College are remaining positive.

Earlier this fall, the Construction Sector Council and the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council both released national reports suggesting the province’s construction industry is headed for a downturn.

“That doesn’t really concern me because a lot of the contracting companies are losing a lot of business because they are overpriced,” said Bruce Polchies, a carpentry student from NBCC. “But now individual carpenters are making more money doing odd jobs here and there after they get their certification.”

Polchies is like many other hopeful students of the trades. He agreed that prospects are not always the best in small towns like Woodstock, and understands that he may have to look for work in other places.

Jerry Grant is an instructor who has taught at NBCC for seven years, and said the industry has always been that way. He has worked in the trades since 1974.

“You may not have a lot of work in downtown Woodstock or Canterbury or any small community around. We know there might not be a lot going on at the present time, but there are always bigger places that you can go to,” said Grant.

“I mean, even today we have a lot of people are going west, but when I started in the trades, it was a big deal to go to Saint John or Moncton to work. You’re talking 38 years ago, and they’d say ‘oh, there’s no work around Woodstock.’ Well you go to where the work is. It’s always been that way since day one.”

Grant said regardless of what you choose to do, you have to be happy in your work.

“I guess the philosophy that I use now is one I first heard my son say - when I go to work, if I don’t enjoy my work, then I’m not going to work at it.

“Money isn’t everything, and I can say that now because I’m 57 years old and I’ve made some good money and I’ve made some poor money, but you’ve got to be happy.”

Amid the sounds of hammers and saws, Polchies was optimistic about his own futures in the trades.

“Five years from now I hope to be running my own business. In five years I hope to be running the business for at least a year and a half already at that point.”

Polchies laughed it off when asked what he’d do if he couldn’t find work.

“Look harder, or just find something else.”