Second-year Niagara College student Henry Kariuki always had a love of cars, but back home in Kenya, the skilled trades were neither a financially lucrative nor a highly respected career path.
“Back home, most jobs in the automotive sector and in the trades have a stigma associated with them. The prospect of becoming a mechanic or working around cars was never really an option and I was discouraged from pursuing such a career,” said Kariuki, who excelled in the British Advanced-Level curriculum prior to college.
A pathway to the skilled trades opened up for Kariuki when a local recruiter in Nairobi told him about the demand for skilled trades professionals in Canada, and the element of job security, leading him to Niagara College’s Motive Power Technician – Automotive (Co-op) program.
“When applying to colleges I was shocked to find that in Canada the trades are a very hot sector and that most skilled technicians can make big money, in some cases, much more than regular desk jobs,” said Kariuki. “This reignited my passion for cars and, with little hesitation, I applied for the course. Before I knew it, I was working with cars on a regular basis at Niagara College and I have enjoyed every moment of it.”
On Dec. 1, Kariuki was the featured speaker at the Skilled Trades & Tech Inclusivity Series. Kariuki shared his academic journey with future students from high schools across the province. The event – put on by Skills Ontario – focused on the critical barriers facing underrepresented youth, and highlighted the demand and opportunity for skilled trades professionals.
Our Skilled Trades & Tech Inclusivity Series event today was incredible! Thank you to @Sam_Effah and Henry for sharing insight, advice, and resources for our attendees.
Learn more about this series at t.co/NlGUOQJvZg! #SkillsInclusivity pic.twitter.com/5LAnFd9wM9
— Skills Ontario (@skillsontario) December 1, 2021
By the year 2028, over 700,000 skilled tradespeople will retire, and Canada is falling short of filling 3,000 positions annually via immigration, leaving a significant gap in the industry – a lucrative opportunity for an aspiring Red Seal tradesperson like Kariuki.
“One thing that is very fulfilling about the skilled trades is that you get to work with what you love,” he said. “You can earn money but do something you’re passionate about.”
Students at the Skills Ontario event were interested to know how Kariuki’s friends and family in East Africa reacted to his career aspirations. Kariuki explained that while his parents had reservations at first, they are now very supportive. Kariuki’s father, who studied architecture, recognizes the value in the hands-on learning that takes place at college.
Kariuki explained that his exposure to working on electric vehicles at NC is just one of the ways he feels prepared for the ever-changing automotive industry. Kariuki also benefitted from a co-op in the automotive manufacturing sector at Magna Karmax in Milton.
“Co-op shows you what you like and don’t like before you enter the industry,” he said.
Kariuki credits his mentors – instructors at Niagara College – for their support, guidance, and knowledge of the industry, all of which have helped prepare him for his future.
“The College has a good mentorship team. All of my professors worked in the industry… some of them have worked there for decades so they have lots of experience,” he said.
Henry Kariuki accepting his award from Gary Torraville, Director, International. Maxine Semple, acting Associate Director, International Student Services, is pictured at the podium.
On Dec. 2, to cap off his time at NC, Kariuki was awarded the International Students Academic Award and a $500 scholarship for achieving the highest average percentage in his program – 94.19% – and for consistently remaining on the President’s honour roll.
“Throughout the program, I have faced numerous challenges, just like the rest of us during the COVID-19 pandemic … But with the support and leadership of the college, we have all managed to pull through and make the very most of it. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Niagara College and shall surely miss it when I finish my program… I will not only have left College with an added skill, but tons of new relationships and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
With just a few weeks left in the Motive Power Technician program, Kariuki has his sights set on the industry. Fascinated by the intersection between cars and technology, Kariuki has long-term plans to pursue a degree in Automotive Engineering to become a crash test engineer.
