When Annie stepped onto the competition floor at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, she wasn’t just competing against some of the province’s top electrical apprentices—she was making history.
Representing IBEW Local 105 Hamilton and working for West-Mount Electric Group Inc., Annie became the first woman ever to win gold in the Electrical Installations Competition, a milestone twenty years after Virginia Poehler became the first woman to earn a medal in the competition with a bronze finish in 2006.
Annie went on to build on that legacy by capturing a silver medal at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition. Her achievement is a testament to her skill, determination, and commitment to excellence, while also serving as an inspiration for the next generation of tradespeople.
We spoke to Annie about her journey into the electrical trade, the role the Entry Pointz Program played in her success, and what this milestone means to her.
Congratulations on winning gold at Skills Ontario and silver at Skills Canada! Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first became interested in the electrical trade?
Thank you very much. I’m very proud of my achievement! Back in high school, I was debating between Cabinet maker and Electrician. Ultimately, I decided to pursue Cabinetmaker. I spent 8 years in the trade, during which I received my Red Seal, became shop supervisor, and mentored many apprentices. In my time as a Cabinetmaker, I also got experience in basic electrical work, repairing tools and installing lights within cabinets. This sparked further interest for me in the electrical trade and eventually I decided to change trades.
What inspired you to pursue a career as an electrician, and what has your journey through the apprenticeship program been like so far?
In truth, I felt a need for change in my life. A want to keep growing and learning. So far, my experience with the apprenticeship program has been wonderful. I’ve met so many Journeypersons who are excited to share their knowledge with eager apprentices.
How did participating in the Entry Pointz Program help prepare you for a career in the electrical trade, and what impact did it have on your journey to becoming a Skills Ontario gold medalist and Skills Canada silver medalist?
The Entry Pointz Program really taught me the basics of everything I needed to know to get started in the electrical trade. Some examples being, wiring up switches and plugs, and bending conduit. It prepared me for when I started working on job sites to not feel so green. Knowing a lot of the basics meant mentors where willing teach me even more, sooner. This helped me grow a lot in a short period of time, which ultimately lead to me doing very well in both of the Skills Competitions.
You made history this year as the first woman to win gold at the Skills Ontario Electrical Installations Competition. What does that accomplishment mean to you personally?
It means so much to me. Knowing that the challenges other women have go through to help create an environment where I am encouraged to thrive. That allows me to be able to take these opportunities and attempt these challenges. I am so incredibly thankful to all the women who came before me. And I’m honoured that I get to be a role model for other women and show that we can do anything we put our minds to.
What was the most challenging part of competing at both the provincial and national levels, and how did you overcome those challenges?
The most challenging part for me at the provincial level was just how many people were walking by and watching. It added a lot of pressure to perform skills I knew I could do, but now in front of a crowd. The best I could do is put in earplugs, tune out the crowd, and focus on doing my work. The national level came with some unique challenges. Some being that I had not learnt PLC’s or motor controls before qualifying. Thankfully I was provided resources from my hall, including a PLC Module and program, as well as access to a VR motor control program. These helped me tremendously in feeling prepared for the competition and ready to represent Ontario at Skills Canada.
How have your mentors, instructors, employer, and fellow apprentices supported you throughout your journey?
I’ve had countless different moments where mentors and colleagues have helped me along my journey. I’ve had a journeyman who taught me most of what I know about bending conduit and who passed on his tips and tricks for complex EMT runs. Foreman who placed me on varied tasks to ensure I was learning every aspect of the job. Fellow apprentices at school who challenged each other and pushed each other to do the best we could in school. As well as so many others. I really couldn’t have made it here without everyone’s guidance and support.
What advice would you give to young people, especially young women, who may be considering a career in the skilled trades but aren’t sure where to start?
Don’t be afraid to give skilled trades a go, they are an incredibly rewarding career. Finding an employer who can sponsor you as an apprentice is by far the best way to break into the skilled trades. For the young women out there, who are considering the skilled trades, most people you work with will be welcoming and accepting of you being there. There has truly never been a better time for you to join the trades.