From Industrial Electrician to EJTC Shop Manager: Bob’s 50-Year Journey in the Trade

Some people fall into their career by chance. Others plan it out carefully. Bob’s story is a bit of both, and a reminder that sometimes the “wrong turn” ends up being exactly where you’re meant to be.

From high school uncertainty to the electrical trade

Bob didn’t always plan to become an electrician. In high school, he originally aimed for auto body work because of his interest in cars. But when he applied for the program, the waitlists were long and spaces were limited. A school counsellor looked at his marks and suggested something different: electrical.

That suggestion changed everything.

He entered the electrical program straight out of high school and never looked back. By the age of 22, he was already a Red Seal electrician and fully established in the trade, years ahead of where most people typically are in their careers. That foundation set him on the path to becoming an industrial electrician, a career that would span over five decades.

A long career on the water and beyond

Bob’s early career took him into industrial and marine electrical work, where things were rarely simple and never boring. He spent decades working with Seaspan, supporting complex electrical systems across a fleet of tugboats and later oil barges.

His work included everything from maintaining electrical systems to designing and upgrading them. In particular, he became deeply involved in system design work later in his career, something he describes as the most fulfilling stage of his professional life.

After 47 years in the electrical industry, Bob eventually retired—but retirement didn’t last long.

Finding his place at the EJTC

In January 2022, Bob joined the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC), where he currently works as the shop manager.

His official title might say “shop manager,” but his day-to-day role is far more wide-ranging. If something needs doing, maintenance, organization, repairs, equipment support, or even unexpected tasks, it usually ends up on his list.

He also supports training directly, especially in areas like motor control and PLCs (programmable logic controllers), bringing decades of real-world experience as an industrial electrician into the classroom.

Building the PLC lab

One of Bob’s proudest contributions at the EJTC has been helping develop the PLC lab. The lab gives apprentices hands-on experience with automated control systems used in modern electrical and industrial environments.

PLC systems allow users to program how motors and machines behave using logic, timers, counters, and control instructions. For Bob, it connects directly back to the kind of work he did throughout his career.

He describes the lab as one of the most meaningful projects he’s worked on at the EJTC, and something he hopes continues to grow long after he’s moved on.

Lessons from a lifetime in the trade

When asked what keeps him going, Bob’s answer is simple: he likes working, and he likes building things that matter.

But his advice for people entering the trades is even simpler:

Learn something new every day.

That learning doesn’t have to stay inside your specific trade. Whether it’s a new system, a new tool, or even just understanding how something else in the building works, curiosity is what keeps you moving forward.

He also stresses not getting stuck thinking small.

Electricity isn’t just lights and outlets, it’s motors, control systems, industrial machinery, and complex infrastructure. The more you learn, the more opportunities open.

A changing industry

Having worked as an industrial electrician for over 50 years, Bob has seen the industry change dramatically. Tools have evolved from tool belts full of screwdrivers to laptops and digital diagnostics. Training has become more advanced, and the public perception of trades has shifted significantly.

He’s also seen a major positive shift in who enters the industry. More people from different backgrounds, and more women are joining the trades than ever before. In his experience, that diversity has strengthened the industry and made workplaces more professional and balanced.

Still building, still learning

Even after decades in the field, Bob doesn’t see his role as finished. Whether it’s maintaining equipment, supporting apprentices, or improving training spaces, he continues to stay involved in the day-to-day work of building the next generation of electricians.

And while he’s quick to joke about being the “guy who does whatever nobody else wants to do,” it’s clear that his impact runs much deeper than that.

His story is ultimately about consistency, curiosity, and staying engaged in the work, even after 50 years in the same industry.

Or as he puts it best:

“Learn something new every day.”

Written by: Savannah Davis, ClearWater Communications Co.