Grace Westenberger, a Sprinkler Fitter from UA Local 56, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, shares her skills story. 

 How did you get involved with skills? 

I competed at the provincial skills competition, in 2023, in Nova Scotia, in the Sprinkler Fitter Skill Area, and I won gold! Following this, I qualified to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2023, in Winnipeg where I took home the bronze medal. This is one of my happiest moments. I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to compete, and it was great to see that I could put myself out there and be successful. When they called my name to come up to the podium at the Closing Ceremony at SCNC, that was an incredible moment!

My proudest achievement
Becoming a member of UA Local 56 is my proudest achievement. I didn’t even know what a union was until I started working for one, and I feel really lucky to be part of it. I take pride in everything I do; I even take pictures of all the job sites I have worked on so I can share them with my family members and friends. 

What is your advice for women who want to pursue a career in the trades?
My advice to women who want to pursue a career in the skilled trades is – just go for it! Also, do your research so you select the right trade for you, as there are many different ones. 

Check out this impactful video featuring several tradeswomen from UA Canada including Grace Westenberger. 

The UA Advantage
When you choose the UA, you have the opportunity to join an organization with generational expertise. With over 130 years of experience and more than 60,000 professionals spread across the country, we are engaged in every facet of the piping industry. Our tradition of excellence ensures access to top mentors and the best Plumbers, Steamfitters/Pipefitters, Welders, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics, Sprinkler Fitters, Instrumentation & Control Technicians, Metal Trades, Gasfitters and Oil Heat System Technicians in Canada. For more information, visit: uacanada.ca.