#24. How do I break into Canada's skilled trades?
And make good money along the way.
Helloooooooooooooo,
The above is me trying to pour some energy into myself as I write this. Today has been off. How are you doing though? Better than me I hope.
In today’s newsletter: Roy Ratnavel wants you to stop being the victim.
Plus: I collaborated with the Toronto Business Development Council (TBDC) to break down what it takes to get into the skilled trades.
Also: Jerry Onyegide needs you to stop making certain mistakes when filing taxes.
Please forward this to ONE friend today and tell them to subscribe here.
You can find the online version of this newsletter here.
Stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility
There’s always something or someone to blame. The system, racism, Canadian experience, I could go on and on.
However, Roy Ratnavel, a retired financial services executive and the author of the #1 Canadian national bestselling book Prisoner #1056 believes taking responsibility for the choices you make despite your circumstances help you get out of the victim loop.
And Roy knows this too well. He spent a decade blaming everyone else for his struggles after arriving in Canada. The war, the prison, his father’s death—those were circumstances outside his control. But staying angry, transferring trauma to strangers, refusing responsibility—those were choices. When he changed his choices at 31, his outcomes changed.
Listen to my full conversation with Roy⤵
How do you break into Canada’s skilled trades?
The most accessible entry points as a newcomer or immigrant, especially if you’ve zero experience are:
1. Pre-apprenticeship or introductory skilled trades programs.
2. General labour or helper positions on construction sites.
3. Entry-level warehouse, logistics, or delivery roles leading into trades.
4. Starting as an apprentice directly.
I worked with the TBDC team to create a starter guide to exploring skilled trades as a newcomer. We also share how much you can expect to make. But you’ll need to read the full thing for that.
Read my full guide here⤵
Tax season is coming
Like it’s literally six months or so away. And it would be great to start planning early, right?
Jerry Onyegide says that if you just started planning for 2026 tax season, you are already late.
P.S: He’s offering five FREE 30-min tax consultations for The Newcomers subscribers. First five people to send me a DM get in.
Listen to my full conversation with Jerry⤵
What am I excited about?
Have you taken the newcomers archetype quiz? If you have, could you please share it with a fellow immigrant? Or please share your result on LinkedIn like Tobi Adesanya did here.
That you got to this section of the newsletter. Thank you for all the support. If you find my work useful, please buy me a coffee here.
Events
How to Build Additional Streams of Income Outside 9–5
Who: For professionals and newcomers
When: Saturday, October 25th | 11:30
Where: Online
What: Learn to monetize their skills, grow a personal brand, and be financially free
Free