Workers that love the outdoors and love trees eventually find each other! Stephen, a very focused young man, knew what he wanted when he joined the Employment ConneXions Program in 2010 after he experienced a seasonal lay-off.

Stephen has a great track-record working outdoors in park settings. After he met a co-worker who was an arbor culturist he soon realized his dream was to work for an arborist. Stephen's inquisitive nature led him to ask his new friend a lot of questions about working in the tree industry and how to do it safely. He was getting ready to go after his goal.

With Stephen's vocational counsellor seeing his passion and potential in this area, arborists were approached with Stephen's resume. Stephen landed an interview with Burley Boys Tree Service and was introduced to Erik, the Crew Manager. He was then instructed on Burley Boys' procedures & policies. After demonstrating that he grasped all aspects of on the job safety, Erik gave Stephen a chance to prove himself. Stephen was called in for his first shift as a Ground Crew Clean-Up Assistant.

Stephen and his Employment ConneXions' Vocational Counsellor prepared for his new venture by reviewing safety techniques, Stephen then purchased the necessary safety equipment he needed to be on the job. His enthusiasm for outdoors physical work has paid off and he is a regular with the Burley Boys team.

Do you have some trees that need trimming? Visit the Burley Boys Tree Service at www.burleyboys.com and give Erik a call. You may get a chance to meet Stephen as well!