admin, Author at Pad-Car Mechanical Ltd.

11 Reasons We Love Calling Medicine Hat ‘Home’

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:54:00 +0000

If you’re a tradesperson looking to bring your skills to a new city, consider this your call to consider everything Medicine Hat has to offer. Our city is a smaller centre with a population just shy of 66,000 (Statistics Canada, 2022), but provides opportunities for people of all ages. From extensive trail systems to our recent high quality of life ratings to an impressive arts and music scene, there truly is something for everyone.

Here are the top 11 reasons we love calling Medicine Hat home.

Reason #1: We’re One of Canada’s Sunniest Cities
Boasting an impressive 330 days of sunshine per year, we don’t have a shortage of sunny days around here. Although we aren’t immune to the changing of the seasons, we don’t often see temperatures as cold as other Alberta communities.

Reason #2: Our Residents Love it Here
According to the 2022 Community Survey, 95% of respondents rated the overall quality of life favourably, with 91% recommending it as a place to live. We can’t ask for a better recommendation than that, and as you read you’ll learn some of the city features that make this such a great place to live.

Reason #3: We’re One of Alberta’s Most Affordable Communities
At $17.35 an hour, Medicine Hat has the lowest living wage in Alberta. This is the amount residents need to make to afford costs like food, clothing, shelter, education investments, childcare, community events, and other expenses. We’re also known for having lower property taxes compared to other Alberta centres. Finally, as of March 2023, the average housing sale price for the city was $327,829. All of these factors come together to create an affordable place to live that contributes positively to the quality of life residents enjoy.

Reason #4: We Have a Young and Growing Population
As we mentioned, our population is just under 66,000, but it’s young and growing. The median age here is 42 and our workforce consists of more than 20,000 people between the ages of 20 and 44. There are lots of opportunities for young people looking to find their next adventure or lay down some roots.

Reason #5: Our Mighty Music and Arts Scene
You won’t find a shortage of concerts, plays, musicals, or shows when you’re in Medicine Hat. Our city’s venues welcome artists both local and international to the stage for community entertainment year-round. We also offer a ton of educational arts programming throughout the city, for those of you who are curious to learn a new skill. Find yourself in town? See what’s on at these local spots:

The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Co-op Place
Medalta in the Historic Clay District

Reason #6: Year-Round Sports and Recreation Opportunities
Maybe you’re one to get out and find adventure during any type of weather. Or perhaps having indoor options to get you through the colder months is more your speed. Either way, Medicine Hat has opportunities that will get your blood pumping every day of the year, whether you’re part of the action or enjoying as a spectator. Here are some of our favourites:

Inland Skate Park
The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club
Medicine Hat Speedway
Playing a round at one of our many golf courses
Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Medicine Hat Tigers hockey
Mavericks BaseballAlthough these are just a few examples, we also enjoy many arenas, indoor and outdoor pools, spray parks, and recreation centres.

Reason #7: Strong Indigenous Connections Throughout the Community
We take pride in our community’s Indigenous culture and the peoples who have called this region home. Medicine Hat is situated on Treaty 7 and the traditional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina (Sarcee) as well as the Cree, Sioux, and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples. Learn and connect with the rich culture of Indigenous peoples through our community’s historic sites, education programs, and community leaders. Here are some sites we recommend:

Saamis Tepee (AKA the world’s tallest tepee)
Saamis Archaeological Site
Saratoga Park
The Old Man Buffalo Stone, located in Police Point Park

Reason #8: Our Impressive Outdoor Spaces
Between the natural features and the landscaped outdoor spaces throughout the city, there’s plenty to enjoy when outdoors in Medicine Hat. Medicine Hat is located adjacent to rolling coulees and is intersected by the South Saskatchewan River. Throughout the community, you’ll find lakes, disc golf courses, public parks for you and your pets, and more than 155 kilometres of city trails.

We’re also a short drive away from some of the region’s greatest natural attractions. Cyprus Hills attracts visitors for its camping, fishing, and boating, and is the highest point of elevation in mainland Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador.

Reason #9: Exciting Annual Events
Medicine Hat is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Here are

some favourite events we look forward to each year:

Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede
Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival
Music Festivals
YMCA River Run
Medicine Hat Jazz FestPlus, we regularly welcome artists from around the world to perform at venues like Co-op Place and the Esplanade.

Reason #10: A Vibrant Downtown
With more than 200 local businesses in the downtown area alone, there’s plenty to keep you busy whenever you’re in a shopping mood. It’s also a great area for a stroll, with murals and art installations located throughout the city’s core. The historic downtown tour is a great way to learn about the history of downtown while seeing how it’s thriving in the present day.

Reason #11: There’s Room to Grow
Whether you’re looking to grow your career or lay some roots for a family, Medicine Hat offers opportunities for both and everything in between. Great schools, a thriving local economy, and health and wellness infrastructure are big pieces of why we love to live and work in the Hat.

We hope more people will see Medicine Hat the same way we do. It’s a vibrant, sunny community brimming with opportunities for tradespeople and families alike. With its blend of youthful energy, cultural richness, and commitment to growth and sustainability, it’s more than just a city – it’s a place where life unfolds in the most beautiful ways.

Interested in finding a job so you can build your life in Medicine Hat? Give us a call at (403) 528-3353 to discuss opportunities with our team.

The post 11 Reasons We Love Calling Medicine Hat ‘Home’ appeared first on Pad-Car Mechanical Ltd..

Empowering the Future: Why Youth Should Consider a Career in the Trades

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:47:46 +0000

When Dave Janecke first started his career in the trades, the group he worked with was significantly older than he was. “I was 20 years younger than the next youngest person,” Dave notes.

Now the President and co-owner of Pad-Car Mechanical Ltd., Dave has noticed a shift in the landscape.

“Slowly, where the trades are now, it’s a lot of younger people,” he shares. “There’s tons of opportunity to not only get your ticket but, if you put effort into it, you can also become a project manager or an estimator.”

This shift isn’t just attractive for young people looking to enter the industry. It’s vital to ensure that there are enough tradespeople to take up the next generation of work.

The Need for a Strong Next Generation of Tradespeople

With more of the workforce nearing or entering retirement, there is a need to ensure young people are stepping up to fill their place.

“Right now, if you look at it as a whole, there’s definitely a lack of tradespeople at all levels,” Dave notes.

This lack of personpower raises very real concerns about how the trades workforce will be able to meet the demands for various services. The trades touch all aspects of everyday life from mechanical work, to construction, to plumbing and beyond.

Equipping young tradespeoples with skills that make them assets to their teams is important to Dave. A big part of that includes cross-training his team.

“At Pad-Car here, we have 3 certified trades: sheet metal, plumbing, and refrigeration,” he notes. “So, the more they cross-train, the more they are willing to jump over there and help and learn and whatnot. It makes them more versatile and, in the long run, it’s more beneficial to both the employee and employer.”

By having more skills in their pocket, young tradespeople are more easily able to adapt to the ups and downs of the industry. “So if you’re slow in construction,” Dave adds, “There’s always work in the service and maintenance part of things.

The Benefits of a Trades Career

The benefits of a trades career are extensive and impressive. Here are some of the key ones to consider:

Early Entry into the Workforce: Trade careers offer a fast track into the working world. By focusing on practical skills over extended academic study, individuals can begin earning and establishing their careers much sooner, providing a head start in experience and financial independence compared to peers in longer academic programs.
Opportunities for Advancement: The trades not only offer a stable foundation but also a ladder to climb either within the field for decades or beyond once you’re ready for a new challenge. With experience, additional training, and certifications, individuals can progress to supervisory or specialized roles, broadening their expertise and increasing their earning potential, all while building a respected professional reputation.
Variety: The trades encompass a diverse spectrum of professions. This variety allows individuals to explore and find their niche, aligning their career with personal interests and unique skill sets. Each field offers distinct challenges and rewards, ensuring a dynamic and fulfilling career path.

High Demand for Skills: In an ever-evolving economy,skilled tradespeople remain in high demand. This constant need for specialized skills ensures job security and availability, making trade careers a reliable choice. The demand also often translates into competitive salaries and the potential for continuous professional growth.
Practical and Hands-On Work: Trade jobs offer a tangible sense of accomplishment. Unlike desk-bound careers, trades involve active, hands-on work, resulting in visible, impactful outcomes. This physical and practical aspect of the work appeals to those who enjoy engaging directly with materials and tools, creating and fixing in real-world scenarios. Dave notes “The most rewarding part is that I like to be able to physically see what I accomplished.”

Launching a career in the trades isn’t just an asset to the people who need the services they provide. Dave adds “It can open other doors as well as provide you a good lifestyle.” It’s a rewarding and dynamic career path that will set you up for a lifetime of success.

Fighting Negative Perceptions of Trades Careers

Despite the clear value of the trades, Dave has encountered the occasional person who thinks less of this career choice. “A career in trades was not always promoted as being a great choice,” he recalls before adding, “I think that’s kind of gone by the wayside.”

Shifting perspectives play a key role in ensuring the continuation of trade work. For young people considering the trades, the opinions of others may bear a substantial weight. For Dave, he hopes young people will be able to maintain their focus and tune out the negativity.

“Being a tradesperson is something to be proud of,” he notes. “I can take my kids or my grandkids to the mall or the hockey rink and say ‘Your grandpa put that up there.’ You can be proud of that.”

Charting a Path in the Trades: Growth and Opportunities Ahead

For young people considering a career in the trades, the skills Dave notes as an important baseline are “problem-solving, mechanical aptitude, wanting to learn something new, good work ethic, and the ability to understand and use technology.”

As for his advice for those considering this career path, Dave shares “Put all you have into learning and retaining everything you can from both school and your journeyperson. Apply yourself and know that the more you put in the more you get out.”

And when it comes to the future of the trades, there’s a lot to be excited about. “There’s really no lid to it if you want to keep growing.”

Pad-Car’s Commitment to Trade Education

At Pad-Car, we believe that investing in the education of future tradespeople is worth it. Not only are we passing on knowledge about the craft we’ve spent years perfecting, we are also supporting a young person in the early days of their dream.

For years, we’ve been involved with RAP, a program that provides high school students with the opportunity to make strides toward achieving their journeyman certificate before graduation.

Dave notes that “we work with the local schools to bring in these young people, work with them at a younger age, and have them partway started in their career path for when they graduate.”

Now is a great time to start your trade career. It not only opens doors to immediate employment and financial independence but also paves the way for lifelong learning and personal growth. In the trades, every day brings a new challenge and opportunity, making it a rewarding path that continually evolves with your skills and passions.

The post Empowering the Future: Why Youth Should Consider a Career in the Trades appeared first on Pad-Car Mechanical Ltd..

Pad-Car Mechanical’s Commitment to Local School Trades Program

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:43:49 +0000

Medicine Hat High School student Linkin grew up with close family members who worked in the trades. He liked the work and the lifestyle, and as he got older, he knew it was a path he wanted to pursue. By working with us through the Registered Apprenticeship Program, he is working towards that goal, all before graduating high school.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) allows students to begin apprenticeship training in the trades while completing their high school education. Students receive course credit and gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, all while accruing hours towards becoming a journeyman.

Linkin’s Experience: From Classroom to Skilled Trades Apprenticeship

Linkin joined our team as a RAP student in July of 2023. Since then, he has worked with us to learn the ropes and gain practical experience that will help him build towards a career in the trades.

“During the summer I would get there around 7:45 and we’d get parts, hop in the van, and go from job to job fixing ACs.” Linkin notes. “Since I’m back in school, I’m only here during the afternoons. Some days I’m doing training, some days I’m doing maintenance, or I’m out with the journeyman doing service calls.”

Regardless of the day’s tasks, Linkin is gaining practical skills and real-world experience that go towards his journeyman certification.

Balancing School and Apprenticeship: Scheduling for Success

Part of setting up a successful RAP placement involves working with the school to create a schedule that works for both the business and the student.
Darren Klein, a teacher at Medicine Hat High School, is often involved in this process.

“We’ll work with the student’s timetable to find something that works best for the student and the business,” Darren notes. “And that way everybody’s happy.”
Finding a schedule that ensures students can gain enough apprenticeship hours within the operating hours of a business requires a bit of fancy footwork. But Darren has found there’s almost always a solution to be found.

“Businesses continue to be excellent to work with,” Darren notes. “They want what’s best for their business and they want what’s best for the kid. And those two things are often the same.”
That was the same story when they approached us, with Darren noting that “they were easy to communicate with, forthright in their expectations of what they were looking for and what they needed, and the whole process was easy to facilitate.”

Investing in Youth: Preparing the Next Generation of Tradespeople

At the end of the day, this program provides students with the opportunity to pursue a career in the trades and gives businesses a chance to train a strong talent pool for the next generation of tradespeople.

This fuels Darren’s passion for RAP. “There’s a whole pile of people out there who are my age and are going to retire in the next five years,” he notes. “And unless people my age that are in the trades train up young people, we’re in trouble.”

The mutual benefit of RAP ensures talented young people like Linkin learn directly from established tradespeople. This not only preserves vital trade skills but also ensures a legacy of knowledge and expertise that continues long after the current generation retires.

A Head Start in the Trades: The Impact On a Young Apprentice

Our team at Pad-Car has worked with other local schools to host RAP students over the years. Seeing our in-house training of young people

translate to the successful completion of their apprenticeship and journeyman certification is always rewarding, and we’re excited to continue guiding the next generation of tradespeople in their early careers.

For Linkin, who knows what he wants to do and is excited to get started, he has the chance to learn directly from industry experts. “I’m not one to really sit back and watch.” Linkin shares. “I’d rather be hands-on as much as I can until I feel like I need to step back and take notes.”

Now that he’s several months into his RAP placement, Linkin is getting career experience that most young people don’t get until after graduation.
“There’s a lot of working involved, which is nice,” Linkin notes. And of his time with us at Pad-Car Mechanical, he shares that “everyone is very knowledgeable about what they do and willing to help each other out.”

To other students considering if RAP is the right program for them, Linkin thinks they should go for it. “Even if you don’t take up a trade after high school, you still learn a lot of valuable lessons, from work to life,” he shares. “And you get to see a lot of incredible things and do stuff most people aren’t doing in high school.”

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