The Amazing Journey of Wallis Plumpton: A tale of professional and personal discovery

Wallis (Walli) Plumpton was born in White Rock, but due to frequent moves attended several elementary schools in the lower mainland. Eventually, Walli’s mother decided to move to the Netherlands and, at 12 years of age, Walli was placed in an international class along with other immigrants and refugees. It was a challenging time for the kid from Canada.

“I was held back my first year of regular high school and failed my last year, but completed my education at Adult School the next year and went right back to work.”

Hospitality Career

That work was in the hospitality industry and Walli had an early start, working “under the table” as a bartender at a friend’s restaurant at just 14 years old. Six years later and back in Vancouver, Walli continued working in bars and restaurants to pay the bills.

“I liked engaging with different people and the whole social aspects of it. It’s kind of a seductive industry in that way. Make a few bucks, have some fun. I never thought of it as a career though. It was more of a lifestyle.”

Other than some brief detours along the way as a dog walker, pedicab driver, even a turn at acting school, Walli would spend more than 20 years in the hospitality industry.

“During those years I often thought about leaving the hospitality industry, but at the time I had no clear sense of identity – who I was or what I wanted. For most of my life I was a nomad, constantly on the move and living moment-to-moment. What was the future for someone like me?”

Discovery

Restless and in need of a change, Walli moved to Victoria and began a relationship with a millwright at a local shipyard. While the relationship didn’t last, it sparked Walli’s interest in the trades.

“I learned a lot from him about being a millwright, about the other trades at the shipyard, and how apprenticeship programs worked. I was curious and wanted to know more. Was a trades career even possible?”

It was a good question. Thoughts about a career in the trades had been quashed years earlier.

“It was during my first year in Holland. Grade eight. Metal shop. I really liked it. The instructor told me I was very good at it, but that it was too bad I could never do it for a living. When I asked why, he said it was because I was a girl. It was a complete shock to me. My whole life I’ve been told things like that.”

The incident was one of many life experiences that fed Walli’s lack of confidence over the years, but things were different now. Walli had finally come to terms with some unanswered questions, and for the first time was feeling empowered to make changes.

“I struggled to embrace my sexuality for a long time and finally figured out I’m non-binary. It took a while to come out to a lot of people in my life and it’s been about four years since I began living my truth openly.”

Along the way, they found the British Columbia Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT), an organization committed to removing barriers faced by women, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTIAQ+, Indigenous, and other racialized peoples. Walli was accepted into its Trades Training and Employment Program, a safe place to explore the various trades through classes at Camosun College, eventually choosing welding and earning their C-level ticket.

Welding Career

Walli would soon find work with a small tug and barge company, but things would not go as planned. About a year in and underpaid compared to their male counterparts, Walli asked the boss for a raise but was turned down. They quit and took another job at a local shipyard but that didn’t work out either.

“I didn’t fit in, wasn’t accepted as an equal and felt it wasn’t a safe space for me, so I had to leave.”

Disillusioned, Walli returned to restaurant work and odd jobs to pay the rent while figuring out what to do next. Then came the call that would change everything. A friend at a development and property management company was looking to hire someone with metal fabrication experience and thought Walli would be a good fit. They took the job. As a conduit between the company and the on-site workers, Walli was in regular contact with various trade professionals, an opportunity that would open the door to another career pathway.

Plumbing Career

“I got to know some of the plumbers on one of the sites, and one day I started talking to one of the women on their team about their work and suddenly thought, maybe plumbing?”

Soon after that Walli learned the same company was looking for apprentices and approached the on-site foreman the very next day. Two and a half years later they’re still there.

“I’m kind of surprised because when I did the Women in Trades course, I liked plumbing probably the least.”

While excited to enter the apprenticeship program, Walli admits the thought of returning to school in their 30s was a bit daunting, but that lack of confidence was quickly dismissed.

“As someone who failed out of high school, it was nerve-wracking going back. But it turns out I’m not stupid. I had the highest grade in the class last year. I worked hard for it. I earned that!”

Strong and confident, Walli is now making plans and that includes more education. After earning their Red Seal in plumbing they want to take more math and science classes in preparation for a future career in engineering when they’re ready put down the tools.

So, what’s the message for those who may be struggling to find themselves and thinking about a career in the trades?

“I want to show other people like me that they can succeed in the trades, find a great company to work for, make good money and, most importantly, be accepted and respected for who they are.”

In the meantime, the boss at MGM Mechanical is grooming them for a future leadership role and the importance of that is not lost on Walli.

“They want to be that company, driving change in the industry and paving the way forward for so many others like me. It’s inspirational.”