November 02, 2026 • 3 min read
From curiosity to confidence
They encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and give you the tools to be successful. I’m proud to be part of that.
When Chanlika Holgersen first started looking into the trades, everything was new. That was exactly the point.
She wanted to try something different and find work where she could learn by doing.
“I liked that they gave you the option to try out different trades before you decide which route you want to take. That really mattered to me.”
Now a third-year pipefitting apprentice in our Trade and Craft team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Chanlika is learning a trade while helping turn plans into something real.
Learning by doing
Now, every day sees Chanlika working alongside experienced tradespeople, doing hands-on work on real projects that demand skill, planning and cooperation.
“They’ve got so much wisdom. You can see they enjoy passing it on, and I really appreciate learning alongside them.”
At the modular staging yard, she gets to see how different disciplines come together. Each person’s expertise feeds into the next stage, right through to delivery. Every pipe installed, module assembled and lift coordinated contributes to a project that will ultimately support customers and communities.
For Chanlika, that's what makes the work meaningful. The engineering may start on paper, but it takes skilled tradespeople, with practical delivery experience, to turn those plans into something tangible.
Every day on site helps her build the practical skills, confidence and experience needed to contribute to larger projects and help turn project intent into safe, practical delivery outcomes.
Built on shared experience
Every day starts the same way: early mornings, a toolbox talk and open conversations about how the job will be done safely and properly. For Chanlika, that routine isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about knowing everyone is looking out for each other.
“If I have any questions or concerns, I know I can ask. They encourage me to keep learning and make sure I’m getting what I need to be a good pipefitter.”
On site, foremen and supervisors are approachable and invested. Whether it’s a question about the task at hand, her apprenticeship, or her career journey, the focus is always on learning the right way and becoming a well-rounded tradesperson.
That support extends beyond the work itself. Balancing work, study and family life with two young children isn’t always easy, but Chanlika says the support around her makes a real difference. Everyone has families and lives outside the gate, and that understanding shapes how the work gets done day in and day out.
“They understand that life happens and encourage a good work-life balance. That support helps you be the best you can be at work.”
Pulling together the bigger picture
One moment that stands out for Chanlika was seeing a completed module after contributing to it piece by piece. Tasks that seemed small day to day suddenly formed part of something much bigger. It was a reminder that every trade, every lift and every connection contributes to the final delivery outcome.
“When you step back and you get to look at everything that you built from the ground up and all the hard work that went into it from the ironworkers and the pipefitters, the electricians, even the painters and the QC guys, you look at all the effort from everyone, and it's just such a proud moment,” she says.
“You’re building smaller pieces that become part of a bigger picture. Seeing all the different aspects come together; that’s what I enjoy most.”
It’s also a reminder of the important role apprentices play in the future of the industry. As experienced tradespeople share their knowledge and expertise, they’re helping build the next generation of craft professionals who will continue delivering increasingly complex projects for years to come.
Growth in giving it a go
Chanlika is proud of how far she’s come and to be part of a workplace that encourages people from all walks of life to give the trades a go.
“They encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and give you the tools to be successful. I’m proud to be part of that.”
The knowledge being passed to her today doesn’t stop at one apprentice or project. With every new skill development, question asked and piece of work completed, Chanlika’s building capabilities that will support project delivery for years to come.
For anyone considering a trade or craft career, Chanlika has one piece of advice: “As long as you show up with a positive attitude and you're willing to learn, those two things alone can get you really far. And Worley’s willing to help you out with that.”
