Name: Mackenzie Orban
Skills Yukon Affiliation: 2021 Territorial Skills Competition Competitor
Age: 23
Trade and Certifications: Red Seal Electrician
Current workplace: Jaytech Electric & Controls
How did you decide on your trade?
I always knew I wanted to work with my hands and pursue a trade. Electrical called me the most because of the problem solving required.
Can you tell us about your experience in the trade/technology sector so far?
I have really enjoyed working in the trades, especially gaining experiences of troubleshooting and problem solving that is required in electrical. My trade is like a puzzle and I find it extremely rewarding when taking a step back, at the end of the day, and seeing the progress I have made.
How did you start exploring the trades and/or technology career?
I completed the Pre-Apprenticeship Electrical Program at Yukon College (now Yukon University), after high school, to gain an idea of what it would be like to be an electrician.
Where did you take your training?
I completed my first and second year at Yukon University, then my third and fourth levels at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Calgary, Alberta.
How has your trade made your life better?
Electrical has allowed me to earn an income while working towards a certificate.
Was there someone who inspired your journey into the trades and/or technology sector?
Growing up, my dad worked in the trades. He has always been an advocate for building things yourself and being able to fix what is broken. I mean, you can not break them any more than they already are.
How has your trade and/or technology career made your life better?
Electrical has given me a reliable and steady career. I feel that I am always learning and am improving myself.
What does a regular day on the job look like?
One of my favourite aspects of this trade is that every day is different. I have been sent to work sites all over Whitehorse and in various communities in the Yukon.
If you met someone who was looking at exploring the trades and/or technology sector, what piece of advice would you give them?
I would advise them to ask questions if they do not understand something. You are there to learn—so as long as you start with a positive attitude, you will go far. You are not going to understand everything, right away, and that is okay.
What is the most-interesting thing/project you have worked on?
Due to the partnership between Alberta and the Yukon, I was able to work on projects in the industrial sector of Calgary, for several years.
Is there something about your trade that you think not many people know?
The amount of planning that goes into a project before you even pick up a single tool.
Where do you see your career in five to 10 years?
In five to 10 years, I hope I continue to improve and learn more of my trade in order to have an increasingly positive impact on bettering the community.
If you competed at the Territorial or National Skills Competition, tell us about your experience!
I competed in the Territorial Skills Competition in 2021. I found the competition challenging and that it impacted the way I think about my craft in ways I had not thought about prior to that.
