“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” Mia Hamm

And Sabrina O’Brien accepted the challenge of competing against the top 50 women of the Canadian Building Trades and won 1st prize in the ACTIMS Women in Trades Journeyman Award for 2020.

“Once I received the phone call, I felt excited, proud, and that my hard work is being recognized”

Sabrina is a mother of four children between the ages of 8 and 4. She works for Melloy Industrial Services Inc. as a steamfitter and has been part of the Union for the last 11 years. Sabrina not only manages to balance the work life requirements but also succeeds in her occupation as she recently was recognized as Canada’s top woman in the trades. Not only is she the first woman in UA488 to receive this award, but she is also the first pipefitter Canada wide, to win it!

When Sabrina was asked how she feels about her winning, she said: “Once I received the phone call, I felt excited, proud, and that my hard work is being recognized”.

What her colleagues have to say about Sabrina
“…Sabrina quickly set herself aside from the other craft as a leader and someone who could be trusted amongst her peers, she has demonstrated a true team mentality. Her exemplary skills of communication, understanding, trade skills, knowledge and ability to make decisions, make her the perfect example and leader for younger women to follow and look up to. Sabrina is a true mentor to the younger workers and can positively shape the future of the trades. The Trades and Industry are in good hands if we can have women like Sabrina shaping the future and leading the way, as I feel she demonstrates perfectly the meaning of “excellence in construction”. Kristopher Kucher, site Superintendent.

Local UA488
It is a privilege and an honor of Local UA488 to have Sabrina as a member.  We congratulate her on her achievement, her professionalism, her leadership, and her hard work. She is an exceptional person and a role model for all women in the trades or considering to be part of the industry. As a Union, we strongly believe in gender equality and the value each person brings to the trade’s world.

What is the ACTIMS Women In Trades Awards/Bursaries Program?
The Women In Trades Awards/Bursaries Program was created to recognize women who are members of the Canadian Building Trades and bring awareness of women’s employment opportunities in the skilled trades. Eligible are Canadian women in the trades (members of the Building Trades Unions) who demonstrate integrity, excellence, and leadership within the Maintenance/Construction trades industry. ACTIMS complies 50 applicants from all trades, Canada wide. The applications were vetted by a tripartite committee comprised of Oilsands Owners, Contractors, and Labour Providers.

For more information on the ACTIMS award program, click here