Professional Development Programs
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Carrie O’Donnell
Carrie brings over 15 years of experience supporting apprentices and employers in the skilled trades. Through the NMDP, she focused on developing a resource for mentors and apprentices that supports confidence, communication, and trust-building—key pillars for progression and retention. Carrie believes mentorship is the missing link to truly inclusive apprenticeship programs.
Julie Enman
A leader in HR and talent development, Julie used the NMDP to deepen her knowledge of equity, inclusion, and mentorship in apprenticeship. Her project explored how inclusive recruitment and retention strategies can better support equity-priority groups. Julie now champions the role of mentoring in helping individuals build confidence, stay engaged, and succeed.
Marion Isaacs
With a background in community and employment services, Marion used the NMDP to design a mentorship initiative that bridges employers, Indigenous communities, and training organizations. Her work emphasizes culturally informed mentorship approaches to strengthen pathways into the trades for Indigenous apprentices.
Ghazaleh Nozamani
An accessibility advocate and educator, Ghazaleh used her NMDP experience to develop resources that support inclusive workplace learning for apprentices with disabilities. Her project aims to shift mindsets and practices so that all apprentices can access meaningful mentorship and on-the-job learning experiences.
Brenda Compton
Brenda began her journey into the trades as a single mother raising a child with special needs. Tired of working in retail and searching for stability, she took the advice that she once heard: “If you have a trade in Alberta under your belt, you’ll always have a job.” With that in mind, she enrolled in a pre-trades program where she quickly discovered a passion for welding.
Jena Unrau
Jena began her journey in residential carpentry back in 2012, working alongside a friend of a friend. She quickly discovered that working with her hands, being outdoors and seeing a job through to completion were exactly what she had been searching for in a career. After nearly a decade working on home renovations, Jena shifted into commercial construction and then general contracting.
