Cadence Hartland (2022 Territorial Skills Competition Alumni)
Age: 15
Trade + certifications: High-school student / beginner hairstylist / welder
Current workplace: Kutters Hairstyling
Can you tell us about your experience with trades so far?
I have spent two years with Skills Yukon, so far. I’ve participated in trades camps, all-girls welding, hair club, and the territorial skills competition.
How did you start exploring trades?
I started exploring trades two years ago when I joined my first Skills Yukon trades summer camp. I knew nothing about trades before this camp. I had no clue trades were a thing. After the five-day camp, I felt way more educated about how trades work and how to get into trades.
What trade have you enjoyed the most so far, and why?
The trade I enjoy the most so far is hairstyling. I love hairstyling because it can show my creativity and skills while taking clients. It’s also a very social trade, which I view to be the best part.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after high school?
I plan to go to trades school and complete a two-year apprenticeship. After the apprenticeship, I am going to work towards getting my Red Seal, so I’m recognized across Canada. If I have enough time, I would also like to go to school for welding.
Are you already doing anything to work towards that?
I am already working towards it by working at Kutters Hairstyling so I can start an apprenticeship next year when I’m old enough.
Is there something that keeps you motivated to keep learning?
Something that keeps me motivated to keep learning is that I want to see how much I am capable of. I want to see how far I am willing to go to be a Red Seal hairstylist. I will do whatever it takes to get there; if that means I need an open mind, then I will do it.
If you met someone who was looking at exploring the trades, what piece of advice would you give them?
Don’t give up. If you’re trying trades and you feel like that trade isn’t meant for you, there’s so many more to choose from. You’re also going to have to learn a lot and it can get frustrating sometimes, but you just need to have an open mindset and keep going.
How has your trade made your life better?
Hairstyling has made my life better. I didn’t know much about hairstyling, simply because I’ve had super-short hair most of my life, which has led to very low comprehension of hair. After hairstyling class at Porter Creek, and hair club with Skills Yukon, I have way more knowledge. With this knowledge, I feel way more comfortable in my workplace and doing my own hair.
What is the most-interesting thing/project you have made?
The most-interesting project I’ve made was probably my Skills Competition mannequin. It took me a month to learn how to do everything and how to do it in under two hours, which was very frustrating, hard and fun—all at the same time. My project was a colour melt going from blue to purple, and it was filled with all kinds of braids.
Where do you see your career in five years?
In five years, I hope that I have already started my apprenticeship and I’ve done at least one year at hair school.
