Tradeswoman carries on family tradition
Tradeswoman carrying on family tradition at Fortress of Louisbourg
LOUISBOURG — Jenna Baldwin is no stranger to what goes on behind the scenes at the Fortress of Louisbourg
After all, her paternal grandmother was a tour guide at the partially-reconstructed French fortress that dates back to the early 1700s, while her father, Danny Baldwin, was a plumber at the Parks Canada historic site for more than 35 years. And, from five to 16 years of age, she participated in the Fortress' children's program before working there as a labourer mowing lawns and helping tradespeople.
Now, the 33-year-old Main-a-Dieu woman is a Red Seal-certified plumber and holds down the same position as her now-retired father who still tinkers in the trade through his own company D. Baldwin Maintenance Ltd. The youngest of three sisters, Jenna says she's working her dream job.
“Being from a small town there wasn't a whole lot to do growing up, so when Dad was going to work we sometimes tagged along and went with him,” said Baldwin, whose sister Amanda is also a plumber and has worked in Saskatchewan for the better part of the past 20 years.
“When we were kids it didn't matter where he was going, he often took us along – he called us his helpers – we'd show up for a job and he'd say ‘hey, I got my helpers with me today' so we learned really early on how to turn a wrench or a screwdriver and problem-solve anything we looked at.”
THE RIGHT PATH
Baldwin said she always wanted to stay in Cape Breton. She attended Cape Breton University for a while but soon realized her heart just wasn't in academic pursuits. So, she turned to what she knew best: plumbing. She admits it didn't hurt that she was able to apprentice with her father through his company and the Nova Scotia Community College.
“I always liked the hands-on approach and I don't mind getting my hands dirty,” said Baldwin, who is mother to five-year-old daughter Paisley and step-mom to three older children who are now in their 20s.
Baldwin got on as the fortress' second plumber in 2016. She said she loves going to work and is thrilled to have a career so close to home.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to be at home and have a good job — I really enjoy it and it certainly isn't boring,” she said, adding that she's part of a four-person team comprised of two plumbers and two electricians.
“A lot of what I work on is hidden behind the scenes. We have preventative maintenance checks for all the buildings and that includes the furnaces, washrooms and lighting. We make sure everything is working right, we repair what needs to be repaired. We have co-compliance checks.
“And from time to time, about two or three times a year, we get to travel to the other parts of the Parks Canada field unit like Baddeck, St. Peters or up in the highlands. And there are renovations being done from time to time. Some of the 1970s infrastructure is getting old and needs attention.”
PROUD FATHER
Baldwin's father Danny said he's proud of all his daughters including the one who did not become a plumber. Danielle works at the Coast Guard College in Westmount.
“I am very proud of Jenna — she's a very good tradesperson,” said the 68-year-old who grew up in the town of Louisbourg.
“I may be biased because two of my girls went into the trades, but I think women have better patience than men. There's been a complete turnaround in the trades – just having people like Jenna is inspiring for others, it shows them what they can do.”
For her part, the youngest of the Baldwin plumbers said she has encountered very little resistance on her path to becoming a Red Seal journeyperson.
“It never bothered me because that was never a thing at home,” she said.
“No matter what we wanted to do was okay and if that was a non-female role we were encouraged to try. Two of us played hockey. In fact, I used to get a kick out of when people said ‘hey, she's wearing boys' skates and I would say ‘no, I'm wearing hockey skates.'
“I would encourage any women who want to enter the trades to do so. Don't let anybody put you down. Follow your dream if that is what you want to do. My father always told me not to let any male chauvinists get me down.
“So, I would encourage any women who want to enter the trades to do so. There's always going to be a need for plumbers, electricians and carpenters – a robot just can't do those things.”
The latest statistics released by the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council show the percentage of female journeypersons in the province is about three per cent, while the percentage of women apprentices is around six per cent.
The council has recently set up shop in Sydney as has the Office to Advance Women Apprentices. Both organizations have offices on Prince Street. And, the NSCC's Marconi Campus in Cape Breton is partnered with the Women Unlimited Association on the Career Exploration Program (CEP), a 14-week program designed to introduce women to the trades sector.