Building Skills for the Future: How Mario Galdones Turned Training Into Career Growth

Share this story:

When Mario Galdones began his apprenticeship as a latherer 20 years ago, he saw an opportunity to make a difference in the skilled trades industry.

“At that time, there was a skilled trades shortage, and I thought I could be part of the solution to that.”

What started as a career path quickly became a passion.

“I quickly realized this was my calling.”

Today, Mario is a Latherer and Latherer Program Instructor at the Finishing Trades Institute of BC. Over the course of his career, he has also worked as a foreperson, quality assurance supervisor, and training and workforce development manager. Throughout that journey, ongoing education and hands-on experience have played a critical role.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

For Mario, earning a Red Seal certification is an important milestone, but it’s not the end of the learning process.

“The Red Seal gives you credibility, but boots-on-the-ground knowledge far surpasses what you can learn just sitting in a classroom.”

That perspective shapes how he mentors the next generation of trades workers.

“I tell my students, even though they’re learning here, once they are out in the job market, they need to have a career advancement strategy in mind.”

His advice is simple: continue building skills long after certification.

“After you get your Red Seal, keep training. More skills equals more opportunities.”

Building Confidence Through Education

Mario believes professional development can transform the way people see themselves and their potential.

“Knowledge fuels confidence. Education can remove the ceiling that you kind of place on yourself.”

Continuous learning, he says, changes the mindset from limitation to possibility.

“You turn ‘I can’t’ into ‘How can I?'”

For experienced workers, focused training can also help improve efficiency and modernize long-standing habits.

“When you have focused training, it makes learning efficient and relevant, especially for experienced workers looking to improve current habits or upgrade techniques.”

Adapting to a Changing Industry

As technology continues to reshape the skilled trades, Mario sees adaptability as one of the industry’s most valuable skills.

“Technology is advancing the trades quickly, and I believe adaptability is one of the most valuable soft skills you can have.”

Rather than resisting change, he encourages workers to embrace it.

“You should not only embrace it, but seek it out.”

Mario views emerging technologies like AI and robotics as tools that can support tradespeople rather than replace them.

“I don’t look at AI or robotics as something that will ever replace me. I actually think of these advancements as tools that will make me more valuable and more efficient.”

Creating a More Inclusive Industry

In addition to technical training, Mario says education around inclusivity has had a major impact on his own leadership and perspective.

“Getting trained on inclusivity in the workplace was transformational for me.”

He believes improving diversity in the trades is essential to strengthening the industry overall.

“The lack of women in the trades is a huge reason why there’s a skilled trades shortage.”

But for Mario, the goal goes beyond recruitment.

“It’s not about getting women in the door. It’s about improving the industry overall.”

A Career Built on Continuous Growth

From apprentice to instructor and workforce development leader, Mario’s career demonstrates the value of lifelong learning in the skilled trades.

His message to others in the industry is clear: staying open to new skills, technologies, and perspectives creates more opportunities. It also helps build a stronger future for the trades.