From Refugee to Red Seal: Hanif’s Career Change to Electrician in Canada
When Hanif arrived in Canada on May 29, 2012, he came with little more than hope.
Forced to flee Iran due to political persecution, Hanif, his wife, and their young son spent nearly two years living as refugees in Turkey before being accepted into Canada. He didn’t choose where he would land, he only knew he needed safety for his family.
Starting Over
Hanif’s first days in Canada were overwhelming. He arrived with no English, no local credentials, and just $200 to his name. Standing downtown Vancouver, surrounded by unfamiliar voices, he couldn’t understand a single word.
“I wasn’t scared,” he says. “I was in survival mode.”
Back home, Hanif had owned a restaurant, and his wife ran her own clothing business. In Canada, none of that transferred. He worked wherever he could, restaurants, framing, plumbing, tow truck driving, while both he and his wife attended language classes and rebuilt from scratch.
Rather than staying within his language community, Hanif and his family moved to Burnaby to fully immerse themselves in English and Canadian life.
Finding the Trades
In late 2016, after another layoff, Hanif reached a breaking point.
“I asked myself, ‘How long can I keep doing this?’”
This moment marked the beginning of his career change to electrician.
A friend introduced him to the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC). Unsure he would qualify, Hanif assumed the answer would be no. But with determination, and help from his wife, who tracked down and translated his high school transcripts from Iran, the EJTC said yes.
“That was the first time in Canada I felt someone opened the door for me.”
Support That Made the Difference
Walking into his EJTC interview, Hanif rehearsed answers in the car, worried his English wouldn’t be good enough. But the welcome he received changed everything.
“It felt human. It felt real.”
At the EJTC, Hanif found mentors who went the extra mile. Instructors like Dan stayed after class to help him understand theory and reading, while others encouraged questions and hands-on learning.
“There’s no such thing as a stupid question,” Hanif says. “If I don’t know, I ask.”
For the first time in years, he felt pride in what he was building.
“I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was becoming someone.”
Ten Tries, One Win
Hanif began his apprenticeship in 2017, and his work ethic stood out. A few years later, his biggest hurdle was the Journeyperson exam, which he rewrote multiple times. One attempt ended at 69%, just one percent short of a pass.
“For 15 minutes, I quit,” he says. “Mentally, I was done.”
Through determination, Hanif tried one last time and passed!
“It felt like 400 pounds lifted off my shoulders.”
Today, Hanif is a Journeyperson Electrician who loves his trade. His eldest son is now entering the electrical trade, inspired by his father.
A Message to Newcomers
Hanif’s journey is a testament to perseverance, community, and what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. His story reflects the heart of the EJTC, supporting apprentices from all walks of life and helping them build meaningful, lasting careers in the electrical trade.
From refugee to journeyperson, Hanif didn’t just pass an exam. He proved that resilience, when met with support, can light the way forward. He hopes more newcomers see stories like his and realize what’s possible.
“If someone like me can do it,” he says, “anyone can.”
Written by: Savannah Davis, ClearWater Communications Co.