Terrace, BC – During the COVID-19 lockdown, Elaine Kennedy bought a “really cheap cabin” that had been largely neglected and decided to renovate it. What started as a practical project quickly became something more. Over a couple of years, she renovated the space herself, learning basic carpentry skills through books, online resources, and hands-on trial and error. Along the way, she discovered both a new skill set and a new career direction.
“It was really cool to realize what I could do with some patience and elbow grease,” Kennedy says. That realization, combined with burnout from a career in consulting, led her to apply to the Carpentry Foundation Program at Coast Mountain College (CMTN) in 2024. Today, she is enrolled in Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2, where she’s continuing to build on her self-taught beginnings with formal training and practical experience.
For Kennedy, choosing to study at CMTN was an easy decision and came down to one key factor: location. Kennedy points out that moving south to complete the short-term training blocks typical of trades programs would mean finding temporary housing, dealing with increased living costs, and being away from home for extended periods. Having the program offered in Terrace made it possible for her to pursue carpentry while staying rooted in her community.
The Carpentry apprenticeship levels are fast-paced and intensive, blending classroom theory with hands-on shop work. While the schedule is roughly split between the two, Kennedy says the learning curve can be steep. “We will learn something one day, have a test on it the next day, and then it is immediately on to the next topic,” she says.
Despite the pace, she values how the program builds on foundational skills and reinforces learning through practice. She’s found that one of the most important areas of knowledge is math, which underpins much of the work in carpentry, from planning through to completion.
A solid understanding of trigonometry is especially important in roofing, which has been one of the highlights of the program for Kennedy. She describes roofing as work that requires careful precision. Getting angles right and ensuring proper fit rely on both theoretical knowledge and attention to detail, and Kennedy enjoys this challenge immensely.
Beyond the technical and theoretical training, Kennedy has also found value in the collaborative environment. After spending much of her earlier work experience on her own, she appreciates being part of a group of students with diverse backgrounds and interests. “Everyone's coming from different experiences and different strengths,” she says. That mix of perspectives creates opportunities to learn from others while building a sense of community, which makes the experience more enjoyable and engaging.
As a woman in trades, Kennedy’s experience has evolved over time. During her Foundations term, she was one of only two women in the program. While she describes her classmates positively, entering a male-dominated environment came with some uncertainty. “It’s intimidating going into school or a new workplace and not knowing if you're going to be treated differently,” she says.
While she notes that she has generally been treated well, both in her classes at CMTN and while working for her employer in the field, being the only woman on a crew can still feel isolating at times. “It still feels kind of lonely,” she says, reflecting on past experiences. Now in Level 2, the cohort includes more women, which has been a noticeable difference for Kennedy. There’s a sense of camaraderie that has made the program a bit more fun.
Kennedy's overall experience in the trades has been positive. She emphasizes it provides a meaningful and rewarding path, and that increased representation makes a big difference in how welcoming those spaces feel.
For the work experience hours of her apprenticeship training, Kennedy has been working with a local company that builds small cabins. The role has allowed her to take part in a wide range of tasks, from project planning to finishing.
Looking ahead, Kennedy has ambitious goals. While she’ll continue building her experience across different areas, she wants to focus on design and structural carpentry skills, learning more about framing and concrete work. She has a specific interest in timber-frame construction and plans to continue her on-the-job training hours with an employer specializing in this building technique.
Ultimately, Kenndy plans to earn her Red Seal to become a journeyperson and hopes to build her own home, drawing on the full range of skills she is developing. Someday, she’d also like to make a trip to Japan to explore traditional carpentry techniques, including Japanese joinery, which emphasizes precision and craftsmanship without the use of hardware.
For those considering entering the trade, her advice is simple: be prepared to learn and embrace the challenges. “And brush up on your math!” she says. “You’ve got to learn to love the triangle!”