Dear friends at the CFUW (Saanich Peninsula chapter),
It was a great honour to meet some of you ladies at the Camosun College awards ceremony and to discover that I had been chosen as your (first!) recipient of the $2000 annual award for “Women in Trades”.
I have intended for many months to write a proper thank you and am embarrassed that it has taken me so long, but I really do want to express my sincere gratitude at receiving this award.
Two years ago, I found myself in a challenging situation.
I had been living with my small family in Mexico since 2006, working as an orchestral musician in Merida, Yucatan, and volunteering in youth spiritual development programs. In 2023, however, I separated from my husband, and he chose to move to Victoria, BC, while my 13-year-old son and I stayed in Mexico.
In the meantime, my father (in North Vancouver) had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia and my mother, also struggling with mental health issues, was his sole caretaker.
I knew my son needed to be close to his dad, and I needed to be closer to my parents so, in late 2023, I made the decision to move to Victoria.
But what to do? My skills as a musician were good but it felt unstable to continue to work in music as my instrument (the French horn) isn’t a very popular one. It also seemed like a monumental task to do four years of university before I got another job. So, I decided to look into the trades.
2025 RECIPIENT
Camosun College
WOMEN IN TRADES
ANNUAL AWARD
I went onto the BC Skilled Trades website and the one that interested me the most was Electrician. But I was rather scared. After all, electricity is DANGEROUS! I was surprised to discover that the head of the program at Camosun was Carmen de Guey, a woman. I made an appointment during my Christmas trip to Canada and was so encouraged by her that I enrolled in the Foundation program at Camosun College for the following August 2024.
It was a whirlwind of changes that involved saying goodbye to one life: changing careers, moving countries, navigating a divorce, having a surprise operation, finding a new apartment (all while raising a teenager!)… you can imagine how stressful it was!
However, I was so blessed to find support and encouragement at every turn. My teacher, Al Davies was wonderful and enthusiastic. The math tutor, Duncan McDougall was beyond helpful and kind. There were scholarships and loans and free counselling, and I was really taken care of.
I did put my effort in and am proud to have graduated at the top of my class… but I could not have done it all without all the wonderful support along the way.
Now, I am happy to say that I have been working for Compass Electric since April 2025 – I started there two months after graduating from Camosun. I have learned so much already and have been surprised at how well I am suited to this trade. It’s been wonderful to be able to WORK and be self-sufficient and support my son (now 16, in grade 11) while I continue to learn throughout my four-year apprenticeship. I was accepted into the level 2 electrical training at Camosun from May to March 2026, so I am well on my way.
I am also happy to be closer to my parents, we are in touch almost every day and I visit once or twice per month, something I could never do while living abroad.
The money that was offered in this scholarship was a great help, I was able to upgrade a few tools, put some extra money on my student loan (from the time I was in Foundations), and take an extra trip to visit my parents in Vancouver.
More than the money, it was a beautiful moment for me to feel again that network of support from my community…standing up there onstage with all of you and being recognized was a moment I will always cherish.
I wish you all the best with your future projects and if there is ever any way I can help with anything, electrical or otherwise, please feel free to reach out!
Yours,
Edith Gruber