After graduating high school, Nikki went straight into a Bachelor of Science degree, later working as a Project Manager. After realizing she wasn’t going to pursue the path to becoming the “first doctor” Cross Lake First Nation in Manitoba. Nikki decided to try something new and alongside her brother, joined a program to get certified as an electrician. Nikki studied at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology to become an electrician. She progressed quickly to become an apprentice electrician at NRG Management and became a certified fiber optic technician. As an apprentice, her days were full of new experiences, and she enjoyed troubleshooting, installations, and working with her hands. She mainly worked with large transformers, pipes, and lots of wire. Nikki has gained specific skills in installing solar panels as a certified fiber optic technician which took her outside her community to work on buildings in the capital city of Winnipeg. Mentorship played an important role along Nikki’s career path, and has learned a lot from other professionals in trades. See below a quote from Nikki on her experiences with one of her mentors. “I have this certified female electrician who really took me under her wing when I first became an electrician. And when I needed some advice on what to do in some really sticky situations I got into while working as an electrician, went to her and she was pretty great at giving me advice on how to move forward from these challenges that I faced.” – Nikki Muswaggon. From 2018-2019 Nikki worked as a Youth Build Program Assistant and was responsible for supporting the Youth Build program and being the initial contact for students and the public regarding program information, resources, and services. Nikki began to work with Keewatin Tribal Council in August 2019 as a Program Coordinator. She worked within the Winnipeg Region, facilitating the placement and ongoing development of youth interns for MFNS-YI and acting as the resource person for First Nations SchoolNet for the Region. Last June, Nikki completed her two-year apprenticeship and returned to Keewatin Tribal Council to work as a Program Manager where she also plans to help teach her community how to install solar panels for indigenous farming. This June, Nikki will be sitting on a virtual panel representing the electrical side of things to celebrate Women in Trades Day w/ Colleges & Institute Canada (CICAN) & Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF). Nikki is from Cross Lake First Nation, a Cree community located about 520 km north of Winnipeg along the Nelson River with a population of 6,000. She completed the Electrical Applications program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology- a 1 year course that teaches electrical health and safety, assembly and analysis of circuits. This was a male-dominated course with only four female students in a class of 45, which created extra pressure and some barriers entering the trade. Nikki has spoken about her educational and work experiences to inspire other women to join the sector! Nikki is one of Efficiency Canada’s Energy Trailblazers and shares her insights and advice to those in the sector and inspire change. Nikki will be presenting her A Day in the Life campaign this September for Truth & Reconciliation Day. Nikki gained many skills during her apprenticeship with NRG Management, including Power Tools, Pipe Electrical Work, Lighting Control Insulation, Electrical Conduits, troubleshooting, Policies & Procedures Electrical Wiring Service, Working at Height, and Electrical Controls.

Involved in leadership roles within the union, involved in union committees that address equity and inclusion within the union and/or sector, mentor with TCBN's NexGen Mentoring Program, mentor in the workplace, active in Union outreach to underrepresented jobseekers in communities impacted by Covid-19, job loss and poverty, provides excellent support and guidance in addressing workplace or work/life challenges experienced by mentees, provides clarity and 'tough love' when necessary, Builds capacity and confidence of mentees to address concerns through union, contractor, or community channels, shares experiences and examples of problems and solutions regarding systemic and anti-Black racism within the industry and motivates and inspires me, makes me want to keep going despite the challenges. What she has done which I have never seen a journey person do this: She talked to her boss to have 4 apprentices from 2 non for profits that she is involved with and get her boss to have them for a month to shadow as she was willing to expose some of the local 27 apprentices from the union to look at another pathway to get not just knowledge but a work opportunity under general carpenter apprenticeship. She actually had two trainees looking at siding as an option instead of scaffolding, or formwork. And this was an eye opener to her two mentees because they never looked at siding part of carpentry before. They actually told me that they enjoyed it even though they were a bit cold during the wintertime. Well meeting Shade at a time of her transition to being in the first ever cohort to start siding and myself being close to my third year in flooring, we both have gone through challenges but we were so determine that she is now a journey person and a judge for siding sector and being the only female ( My opinion) who has her own crew and is striving every year. Its been three years I know her and I have to say I am so proud of her achievements and she just beat the odds of someone coming from the Caribbean not to long ago...... I am proud to say she is my inspiration. Keeping going Shade!!!!!!!!!!! You deserve this. She is a mentor for TCBN, Building up and local 27 carpenters union, She is also an ambassadors for TCBN and building up, is part of the Equity Committee for Local 2. As I said, I never met a person who has her own crew in a siding company and was willing to take 4 mentees 2 from Building Up and 2 from TCBN to work with her for couple of months. This is what a journey person should be, helping other apprentices to get exposure and she went out of her way to talk to her boss to do this polite. If she isn't recognized for doing this I don't know what to say. She is still top tier in my books.

Actively participating in TCBN and Nexgen activities, strived to land a job and kept it so far, Highly networking. He volunteered prior to getting his job. Alim is a highly deserving candidate for the NexGen Builders Mentee Award due to his outstanding achievements and dedication to his professional development. As a newcomer to Canada, Alim has demonstrated remarkable commitment and enthusiasm in completing multiple programs aimed at enhancing his skills and knowledge in the construction industry. Alim's participation in the Internship program as a Construction Professional Intern with Mosaic Transit Solution showcases his proactive approach to gaining practical experience in the field. This experience likely provided him with valuable insights into the industry and helped him develop essential skills for his career. Furthermore, Alim's involvement in the NexGen Builders Mentorship Program as a Mentee and his participation in the Pathways to ICI: New Entrants Bridging Program with the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) highlight his eagerness to learn and grow within the construction sector. These programs likely equipped him with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in his field. Additionally, Alim's commitment to mentorship, as evidenced by his completion of the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership Mentor and the NexGen Builders Mentorship Program Mentor training, demonstrates his willingness to give back to the community and support others in their professional development. Alim's current employment as a Mechanical Designer for HVAC systems with Entrust Engineering Inc. Further underscores his dedication to his career and his ability to apply his skills in a professional setting. Overall, Alim's exceptional commitment to learning, growth, and mentorship makes him a standout candidate for the NexGen Builders Mentee Award. He exemplifies the qualities of a future leader in the construction industry and is a true asset to the profession.