Through co-op terms at Grand Lake Timber, Isaac Brown has found a career calling close to home, and hands-on experience to help him towards achieving it.

Currently a student at East Coast Trades in the Industrial Electrician program, Isaac first joined the Grand Lake Timber sawmill team as a grade 12 student from Chipman Forest Avenue School in spring 2025.

The co-op experience saw him learning alongside industrial electricians. The mentorship led him to consider taking the industrial electrician path and he returned as a college co-op student last fall.

“I was more leaning towards construction electrician and then I came here with my co-op placement for high school and I started liking more the industrial side,” he said. “You learn troubleshooting and all the other fun stuff. And usually every day is something new.”

Isaac says he appreciates the opportunity to train in his chosen field just five minutes from home and to learn from others who are enthusiastic about sharing their expertise.

In his role, Isaac is responsible for changing sensors to keep the mill running smoothly. He will finish his one-year program at East Coast trades in the spring and write his Block One exam in May.

“I’ve always liked seeing the process of how things are made,” he said. “Here you’re always figuring out and learning something.”