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The Bridge to Gender Equality Project is pleased to introduce you to Shaudia Ricketts (she/her), Sr. HR Manager with Craft Services Canada at Kiewit and who is also one of our Advisory Committee Members.
What are you most passionate about?
Acquiring and sharing knowledge is my passion – especially within the construction industry. Being well versed in current market trends, global challenges and the value of human capital is critical in today’s world. Creating an environment in which people feel open to sharing new ideas in a space where their voice is heard is something that excites me and makes me want to come to work every day. I enjoy working within the construction industry and take great pride in educating others about careers in construction at all levels. I find value in being able to use my voice to make a difference in the industry, while also being able to influence others to see the great opportunities that exist in construction.
Who is your greatest role model?
My parents have had the most remarkable influence in my life. They established with me from a very early age the importance of work ethic, resiliency, a strong voice and to have an appreciation for life and family. They raised me and my two sisters in rural Saskatchewan with grit and grace – two strong characteristics that the three of us still adhere to. The examples they set for me as I witnessed them roll up their sleeves and face challenges head on, while ensuring we laughed through it all has influenced my life and they way I see the world greatly. They have always taught me to "bloom where you are planted," a notion that has always served me well.
What is your greatest accomplishment in your career trajectory?
Having worked with Kiewit for 10 years has been a satisfyingly wild ride. One of my greatest accomplishments, has been my 3-year term in my current role as Senior Craft Recruiting and Project Services Manager where I oversee the Recruitment of Trades personnel Canada wide. It’s been instrumental in helping me achieve career fulfillment, something I consider to be an important takeaway for any career. We all strive to be happy, and to be fulfilled in your career is like winning a lottery! I LOVE getting up to go to work every day, because of the people who surround me, the work I get to do and the impact I seek to make. I get to lead an incredible team of forward thinking, respectful, high performing individuals who enjoy challenging themselves. On top of that, I am able to go to work every day and lead/develop this team with someone whom I respect and admire as a co-worker and friend. I have an incredibly supportive Manager, who respects my opinion, has given me incredible autonomy and isn’t afraid to battle alongside me. Working in my current position has given me tremendous opportunities to become involved. Becoming involved has led me to my second greatest accomplishment in my career - my election to the Board of Directors for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. I love the trades and think there are so many great things that a career in the trades has to offer, especially to under-represented groups who’ve never considered this career stream. I find it satisfying to be able to provide a voice for current and future apprentices, especially women in construction.
What advice would you give to new or emerging leaders who are building their careers?
Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges that stretch you as an employee or leader. Every opportunity has the ability to provide you with knowledge.
Don’t be satisfied with the status quo – push yourself and your teams to think outside of the box. Be the change that your company or industry needs.
Connect with your team. Build rapport and mutual respect. Grow, develop and encourage them. We are responsible for shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Don’t be afraid to use your voice responsibly and with intention. In doing so, also take the necessary time to effectively listen and digest the information before you speak. You will gain much more information by listening to and observing what others bring to the table.
Respect the experience and opinions of others. The best “product” always comes from a culmination of differences.
Surround yourself with people who have different strengths than your own. No one is the complete package and the ability to recognize and acknowledge where you excel and where you fall short is a strength of an effective leader.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for the next generation?
There are so many generational differences in today’s workforce, and it can be challenging to find your place and purpose. Being able to think outside the box and keep an open mind is critical to ensuring that “we” continue to grow, develop and push the needle forward on diversity, equity and inclusion, work life balance, and technological efficiencies. If you find your place and passion early, embrace it. If you haven’t found it yet, don’t panic. Keep an open mind, take on new opportunities, embrace challenges and things will fall into place.
About Shaudia Ricketts
Shaudia Ricketts is a Senior Craft Recruiting and Project Services Manager in Human Resources for the Kiewit Corporation. She is responsible for the attraction, hiring, transferring, and onboarding support of craft talent across the Canadian market while leading all recruiting strategy, planning, outreach, and project support efforts. Ms. Ricketts is involved early in the craft lifecycle as a part of the bid and proposal efforts and remains engaged through each project phase thereafter including the demobilization of craft talent.
Ms. Ricketts has an extensive HR background spanning the course of 20+ years in which she has held a variety of HR and Recruitment roles in the construction, oil and gas, real-estate, and retail industries. Given that most of her time has been spent in HR for construction, she understands the challenges and opportunities that exist for youth, underrepresented groups, and associated organizations within the industry. Through her many years in the industry, Ms. Ricketts recognizes the importance of the apprenticeship programs and has supported it by taking part in apprenticeship curriculum reviews, speaking to youth about apprenticeship opportunities and educating industry on the need to support apprenticeship initiatives. She is passionate about exploring and implementing recruitment methods that support diversity and inclusion, as well as engagement in the apprenticeship programs.
In her current role, Ms. Ricketts has been involved in several partnerships and initiatives with Skills AB, BC and ON, Women Building Futures, the Bridge to Gender Equality Advisory Committee, numerous indigenous and youth groups, and the Progressive Contractors Association. In addition, she was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum as an Employer Representativ.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as her CPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications.
To learn more about the Bridge to Gender Equality Project, go HERE.