The Smoko Podcast
Podcast celebrating women in STEAM and the Skilled Trades. Creating community and highlighting the women within it. Take a break, we're on Smoko.
The Smoko Podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear. Peggy workwear is workwear which fits and functions as it's designed by women for women.
www.peggyworkwear.ca
The Smoko Podcast
Andrea Durdle: Pipe Trades Instructor at Camosun College
Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week I sat down with Andrea Durdle, an instructor at Plumbing and Pipe Trades at the School of Trades and Technology at Camosun College. Andrea shares her incredible journey from being a culinary professional to discovering her passion for plumbing and pipe trades. Now a Red Seal plumber and a champion for women in trades, Andrea talks about the transformative moment she knew this career was the right fit and how it changed her life.
Andrea explains her unique transition from alumni to instructor, highlighting the rewarding experience of teaching in the same classrooms where she once learned. She emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship in trades, sharing heartwarming stories of how seeing a woman at the front of the classroom has inspired her students.
Andrea delves into her work with the Women in Trades program at Camosun and the efforts to increase retention of women in Red Seal trades. She addresses the cultural barriers women face in trades and discusses initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces. Andrea also talks about the importance of continuous learning and professional development, even after achieving Red Seal certification, and highlights the promising shift towards renewable resources and sustainable practices in the industry.Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares personal experiences and lessons learned throughout her career, stressing the significance of a supportive community and the role of allies in fostering a positive work environment. Whether you're interested in the trades, passionate about gender diversity, or looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights and heartfelt reflections.
Join us for an engaging and enlightening conversation with Andrea Durdle, a true advocate for women in trades and a beacon of hope for a more inclusive future. Tune in to learn more about the exciting world of plumbing and pipe trades and the impact of mentorship and community in shaping successful careers.
Andrea Durdle:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-durdle-94891420a/
Camosun College:
https://camosun.ca/programs-courses/find-program/women-trades-training
The Smoko Podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear: workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear which fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots.