Young apprentice mentored by company founders

Three people looking at a machine part and measuring its size.

Samantha Petrie (right) demonstrates some of her work at Precision G&T Engineering. Her mentor and company co-founder John Geshke (centre) and Ella Kelly, Program Officer with SkillsPEI (left) look on.

Samantha Petrie is being mentored in her position as an apprentice tool and die maker by two people who definitely know the business – Precision G&T Engineering founders Brian Turner and John Geshke.

Turner and Geshke’s combined 60 years of experience will help the Holland College graduate develop her skills and get on-the-job training. Petrie credits SkillsPEI’s Graduate Mentorship Program for the opportunity.

“The program has been beneficial in many ways, especially as a woman in the trades,” she said. “It gives employers an extra incentive to hire and train individuals like me towards a successful career as a Red Seal precision machinist on Prince Edward Island.”

Petrie is receiving hands-on work experience alongside knowledgeable precision machinists as she learns to create tools, fixtures, and precision machine parts. Based in Rollo Bay, Precision G&T Engineering supplies parts and services to a number of industries throughout Atlantic Canada including, agriculture, aircraft maintenance, boat building, commercial fishing, and wind power systems.

“We’re pleased to participate in this program, which is a great way for our company to hire a candidate that has the education required in our business,” Geshke said. “At the same time, it helps our company meet our goals and we’re thrilled to have Samantha on the team.”

“As National Skilled Trades and Technology Week takes place this week, it is so exciting to hear of yet another young apprentice who is gaining experience in her area of study,” Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown said. “It’s another great success story of the growing, vibrant career opportunities available here in Prince Edward Island.”

To date in 2016–17, the Graduate Mentorship Program has helped over 235 young Islanders increase their skills through a work experience in their field of study and transition into the workforce.

Approximately 220 employers are providing mentorship to recent graduates. The Graduate Mentorship Program is funded in whole or in part by the Canada-PEI labour market agreements.

For more information, visit Graduate Mentorship Program.

Media contact:
Sheila Kerry
Senior Communications Officer, Workforce and Advanced Learning
(902) 620-3688
slkerry@gov.pe.ca

General Inquiries

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PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Phone: 902-368-4250
Fax: 902-368-4242

DeptWALP@gov.pe.ca