09/24/2026
From trainee to teammate. 🛠️
When Wisdom first joined Building Up, he knew he had a passion for construction, but he didn’t know exactly where that passion would take him.
“I was still trying to figure out exactly which direction I wanted to take in the construction industry. I knew for a fact that I had a passion for construction, but I didn’t know which trade I wanted to choose.”
At the time, Wisdom was also working toward his university degree, which he expects to complete in just a few months. While education has always been important to him, he knew he wanted something else alongside it: practical skills, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to learn directly from people working in the industry.
That brought him to Building Up.
Wisdom still remembers walking into his Building Up interview and seeing more than 200 people there.
“I remember wondering if I would even have a chance. I stayed until the end, completed my interview, and left without expecting to hear back. To my greatest surprise, I received a call and was accepted into the program.”
He initially hoped to pursue HVAC, building on his previous experience with A/C servicing. When that opportunity wasn’t immediately available, he made the decision to stay open to other possibilities.
Through in-class training and placements on different construction sites, Wisdom worked alongside professionals from multiple trades, developing practical skills and gaining a broader understanding of the industry.
“Not being able to get into HVAC right away was also a challenge. I learned that sometimes opportunities don’t happen exactly when you expect them to. Instead of giving up, I stayed open to other opportunities and continued learning.”
That experience also changed the way Wisdom thought about building a career.
“You don’t always have to have your entire career figured out from the beginning. Sometimes you discover your path by trying different things, learning from others, and being willing to take opportunities when they come.”
Today, Wisdom’s path has brought him back to Building Up in a new way.
When Building Up moved into its new office building and an opportunity opened for Facilities, Maintenance & Support Trainees, Wisdom’s previous background in facilities management, combined with the construction experience he had gained through the program, made the role a natural next step.
Now, he’s continuing to develop his technical and hands-on skills while learning more about facilities maintenance and building operations.
“I started with the organization not knowing exactly which trade I would pursue, and now I’ve come to a point where I’m being given an opportunity to continue learning and building my career with the same organization that gave me my start.”
For Wisdom, there’s still plenty ahead to discover, and that’s part of the journey.
“Looking at where I am now, I feel like the experiences and opportunities I’ve had are gradually taking me in a better direction. I’m grateful to Building Up for giving me the opportunity to learn, gain experience, and now continue growing with the organization. I’m excited about this next chapter and what the future holds.”
We’re excited to have Wisdom continuing his journey with us, and even more excited to see where he takes it next. 💙
