A local electrician has broken through the glass ceiling and inside, she found wiring.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we sat down with Heather McIlwee, owner of Red Apple Electric.
Q: What is your background? How long have you lived in the area?
A: I grew up outside of Collingwood near Alliston, in Rosemont.
I lived in British Columbia for about five years. When I came back from B.C., I came to Collingwood and started a business here. I also had a business in B.C. for almost four years.
I’m a third generation electrician. My grandfather and father were both electricians.
Q: What made you want to follow in your family’s footsteps?
A: Out of high school I went to the Ontario College of Art and Design. After graduating I thought, how am I going to make money? (laughs)
My dad offered me an apprenticeship.
Q: Was it something you always wanted to do?
A: Well, it was an amazing opportunity, so I took it. I’ve been in the trade for about 16 years.
Q: How long have you run Red Apple Electric?
A: I’ve had this business for two years.
Q: On Thursday, you received the Service, Industry and Trades Award at the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. How did it feel to win the award?
A: I was shaking up there! (laughs) I was surprised, nervous and excited.
It feels pretty awesome.
It’s a big deal here.
Q: The trades in general tend to be a male-dominated industry. How has your experience been as a woman in that industry?
A: At first, I really had to prove myself.
But, I think nowadays people are really coming around. There’s more women in the trades than in the past. There’s also a huge push from the school boards and parents to say, yes, the trades are the future of society.
Q: Have you ever come up on any barriers, being a woman in this industry?
A: Not really.
There’s advantages and disadvantages, but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
I think a lot of people want to show their kids and grandkids that it doesn’t matter what gender you are, you can do anything.
I think that’s been positive for my business because they want to see role models in the industry to show that anything’s possible.
Q: What’s your favourite part of your job?
A: I think, pulling out a big drill and drilling a big hole. (laughs)
Q: What does the future hold for your business?
A: Right now, I have an apprentice who’s actually my brother.
I think in the future I’d like to grow and employ more people.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every Saturday. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
