Olivia VanDenBelt’s love for building things turned concrete after she took a construction class in high school. Her passion for transforming simple materials into something beautiful motivated her to enroll in NC’s Carpentry and Renovation Technician program. With a strong will to learn all that she could in the two-year program, VanDenBelt is graduating on June 17 as a Dean’s Award winner.
Check out a video message from VanDenBelt:
NC is proud to recognize Olivia VanDenbelt as the recipient of our Dean's Award in the School of Trades. Olivia is graduating from the Carpentry & Renovation Technician program. We are happy to welcome you to our NC alumni family. Congratulations Olivia! 🥳
#NCGrad2020 pic.twitter.com/LPhVDPrRMR
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) June 17, 2020
We checked in with VanDenBelt to learn more about her experience and find out what skills she plans to keep in her toolbelt as she embarks on building a career in the trades.
Olivia VanDenBelt
Hometown: Delaware, Ontario
Program: Carpentry and Renovation Technician
Academic achievement: Dean’s Award, School of Trades (95%)
How do you feel about receiving the Dean’s Award, achieving the highest GPA in your program?
I am honoured to receive the Dean’s Award and grateful to the college for recognizing my efforts. It was a pleasant surprise and a great way to cap off two amazing years at Niagara College!
What motivates you to succeed?
I was motivated to work hard because I wanted to learn as much as I could in my two years. Since carpentry is such a diverse trade, there is always so much to learn. I was eager to gain a better understanding of drawings, building methods and various materials in the trades.
What led you to study at NC and to your program specifically?
I chose to study at NC because I really liked what the Carpentry and Renovation course had to offer. When I was applying, it was the only program that had a co-op during the summer, which was very important to me. Co-ops are excellent ways to get hands-on experience and can be gateways to future jobs. I also liked how the courses covered a variety of aspects within carpentry from blueprint reading/drawing to interior finishes to commercial construction. All aspects of carpentry intertwine, and I felt that the program gave me a solid foundation in all the different aspects of the trade, which I can build upon in my career. Also, when I came to the NC open house, I was impressed with the shop facilities and the faculty I met.
What interests you about your field of study?
I’ve always loved building things and working with my hands. I thought construction looked interesting, so I took it in grade 10 and fell in love with it. It’s amazing to see your capabilities and what you’re able to build. I enjoy starting with simple materials and creating something beautiful. I also like solving the design challenges that come up along the way.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind? Do you feel that completing your program will help you achieve that goal?
My career goal at the moment is to register as a general carpenter apprentice and get my Red Seal. Completing the carpentry program will definitely help me achieve this goal. The courses in the carpentry program are similar to some of the courses that are part of the apprenticeship schooling, so I feel I am well prepared.
What was your situation when you enrolled at NC?
I enrolled in the Carpentry and Renovation program at NC directly after graduating from high school.
How did you find your program experience? What did you find rewarding or particularly beneficial?
I had a fantastic experience in my carpentry program! I made some great friends and learned from very knowledgeable and friendly staff. My labs were a lot of fun, and I learned so much as my teachers gave helpful advice, showed us numerous tricks of the trade and shared their own experiences to help us further our knowledge of building materials and methods.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?
I completed co-op from May to August 2019 with a renovations company in London. The company also builds custom cabinetry for all of the renovations they do. During my co-op, I was working in their cabinet shop where I built almost every single part of the cabinets: the bases, drawer boxes, doors, kicks, shelves and end gables. I really enhanced my skills on a variety of tools and machines, became better at interpreting drawings, adapted to working at a faster pace to meet timelines, and gained a heightened awareness of attention to detail to satisfy customer and company expectations.
Were you involved in any clubs/ teams or extracurricular activities during your time at NC?
During my time at NC, I worked as a student shop tech in the construction shop. I helped prepare materials and supplies for labs, kept the shop and tools clean, and organized and helped build items that would be used in other programs. I also volunteered at NC open houses where I enjoyed sharing my experiences with future NC students and promoting the carpentry program and School of Trades. Also, I participated in meetings and social events that promoted Women in Trades, which gave me the opportunity to share my experiences being a female in my program and working in the trades, as well as offer suggestions regarding how to support and promote women in the School of Trades at Niagara College.
What is it like to graduate at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic? How has it affected you completing your studies remotely?
It’s been a little strange graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic. It definitely made completing my program a little difficult. It’s hard to do carpentry online because it requires so much in- person and hands- on training. However, my teachers did a fantastic job at giving us assignments and online lessons to try and make up for our lost lab time. However, it didn’t feel as if there was a definitive end to the school year. I absolutely loved my time at NC and felt a great sense of community here, so it was sad that there wasn’t really an opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to my classmates and teachers who have supported me throughout the last two years.
What does graduating mean to you personally?
For me, graduating means starting a new chapter in my life. I’m looking forward to building my career and seeing where it takes me!
Are you planning to attend your virtual convocation ceremony? How do you feel about it?
I wish I could attend my virtual convocation ceremony but, unfortunately, it is a workday for me. However, my family will be watching and recording it for me so I can view it later! I think it is a nice way to celebrate the success of the Class of 2020 right now and I am looking forward to an in-person celebration as well, when it is safe to do so.
What have you been doing since completing your studies?
Since completing my program, I have been working as an on-site carpenter apprentice with a renovations company in London – the same company I did my co-op with.
Niagara College is celebrating its 5,000 spring graduates with its first-ever virtual convocation ceremonies from June 15-19. Visit the College’s Virtual Convocation site to view the schedule or to access the livestream ceremonies: niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.
