Growing up, Vanessa always admired the dedication and resilience in hands-on work. Raised in a large, hardworking family, she didn’t have to look far for examples of skill and perseverance. Her grandparents in the Philippines worked in agriculture—a tradition carried on by other family members. In Hamilton, her dad built his career as a machinist.
But Vanessa didn’t immediately see herself following the same route. After taking a year off and considering a business degree, she found herself coming back to the kind of work she’d grown up around. That full-circle moment led her to Mohawk College’s Construction Techniques – Plumbing program, where she’s building her own pipeline into the trades with an enterprising mindset.
“This program allows me to combine practical problem-solving with the satisfaction of creating reliable work,” she says. “I aim to continue my family’s tradition of hard work while building a stable future for myself and those I care about.”
Turning challenges into momentum
Reaching this point took more than inspiration. At first, Vanessa doubted herself. Fear of failure held her back from going to school, even with role models all around her. It wasn’t until her parents encouraged her to try out the program that she found the confidence to take the first step by applying and imagining the possibilities.
Once at Mohawk College, she faced new challenges, including balancing financial responsibilities with coursework. Vanessa pays her own tuition and expenses, working part-time while studying full-time. She also commutes about an hour from home to campus. It’s a daily effort that demands commitment and discipline.
But these challenges haven’t slowed her down. Instead, they’ve shown Vanessa what she can achieve. In fact, she sums up her journey in three words: willpower, strength and integrity.
“It’s up to me to actually show up to my classes and to do the work and take my education seriously to better my future,” Vanessa says. “A lot of the skilled trades are … very labourious, so I’m definitely trying to get physically stronger and strengthen my mentality. And integrity in my work is something I have to have to produce high-quality work.”
Shaping future success with industry-led learning
As Vanessa grows personally, she’s also developing professionally. Mohawk College’s Plumbing program blends theory with hands-on learning of essential tools, techniques and industry standards. It is the first part of in-school training for the trade, laying the foundation for an apprenticeship, which is a required step toward becoming a licensed plumber.
With industry-led learning and instructors who are professionally active, Vanessa says she’s getting realistic insight into the field and reassurance as she prepares for what’s next.
“[My instructors] give me real-world experience by what they teach or the stories they tell about their own experiences in the industry,” she says. “That helps me prepare my mind for what to expect in the future.”
Looking ahead, once she’s a licensed plumber, Vanessa is open to working across Canada. Travelling from job site to job site, she says, would let her gain experience in different environments and help her pinpoint where she wants to specialize.
She also sees plumbing as a service that gives back to the community—and hopes her own path encourages others to pursue theirs with confidence.
“I want to inspire others to believe in their own abilities and pursue their goals, even when the path is difficult,” she says. “I also hope my journey highlights the value of trades careers and encourages more people to consider building a future with their own hands.”
Published January 7, 2026
