News Archives: Corey Price excels in GPRC's Millwright Program
Thursday, March 5th, 2020
GPRC Millwright student, Corey Price with trades instructor, Clint Derocher.
Corey Price first became interested in working on equipment while watching her dad restore Packards in their garage. Now that the former Calgary resident has her ticket as a journeyman millwright she’ll be too busy working at Decca Industries to help her father bring old cars to life.
A December graduate from the millwright program at GPRC, Price became the first female to achieve that designation at the college.
Millwrights install, maintain, repair and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment.
Lifelong Learning
Price’s journey began when she moved on from helping her father to becoming a lube technician with his encouragement. She then pursued automotive-related employment and found a position as a shop hand at a crane company. There, Price would go on to earn the opportunity to become a heavy duty mechanic. Finally, she was advised becoming a millwright would lead to more learning opportunities and greater employment prospects.
“I decided yes, I will try that – that was seven years ago and I still love it.”
Price is proud of becoming a millwright and is eager to continue advancing in her career.
“I have branched from small hydraulics to large hydraulics, fixing single pumps to full 50-ton cranes.”
She also enjoys being in a field with no end of opportunities to learn.
“There are so many different things you can do with it. I have done a wide variety of things with different companies. I have learned ridiculous amounts. What I have experienced in just that past few years is about one per cent of what there is to know in the trade. Just because I have gone through the books and passed the tests, it doesn’t mean I know everything. There is tons of information still to learn and to figure out. When you are done learning, you are done living.”
The GPRC Experience
After relocating to Grande Prairie, Price learned of the trade training opportunities at GPRC.
“I’m really, really happy I did. The instructors here are fantastic. They are always there to help.”
Price recounts one instructor going out of his way to contact a product manufacturer to resolve a question she raised from a test.
“I don’t think I would have got as far as I have without the instructors at GPRC. Everyone is friendly and the shop is amazing.”
Price encourages other women to follow in her footsteps and has advised GPRC staff she’d be pleased to speak to females with questions about pursuing an apprenticeship.
“I wish there were more women in the trades and this trade, in particular,” she says.
“If there were more women, it wouldn’t seem like such a strange thing. I am pretty big on everything being equal. I don’t want to be looked at as different because of my gender. I want to be treated as a mechanic, not a girl mechanic.”
Clint Derocher is one of three instructors in GPRC’s Millwright Program.
He’s proud Price is the first female to start and complete her apprenticeship as a millwright at GPRC. What is more remarkable, he says, is her overall performance.
“You need to get 65 to pass at GPRC and then, 70 per cent on the provincial exams. Corey doesn’t just pass. She excels in the classroom. She tries very hard. She’s a devoted student and employee.”
Congratulations Corey.
To learn more about the GPRC Millwright program and how to apply, click here
