Thinking independently and taking initiative shape how Kirstin and Ryan approach their own learning as owners. As she put it, “Organizations and businesses are living, breathing things. They are constantly changing and adjusting. We’ve had learning moments over the years where I could see our teaching style was all wrong. We’ve had to evolve.” Kirstin said that she and Ryan look for people who challenge themselves to improve at their jobs and grow in their roles. And to foster this learning, they invest in regular and ongoing training for their staff. Kirstin observed, “The employees we retain are the ones that are self-starters, self-learners.” When someone shows initiative, even admitting when they’re struggling, she responds with, “If you’re struggling, I need you to tell me, and we will accommodate you.” In that spirit, Kirstin feels that accommodation is not handholding, but a form of positive reinforcement for growth and change. As she put it, “Providing support is positive, not permissive. I can help you for a moment, but I’m not going to do the disservice of putting the floaty on and pulling you along. You’re a capable adult.”
Step Up and Succeed In The Trades
Skilled Trades, We've Got Your Back
Welcome to fall and the 2nd edition of our Step Up and Succeed In the Skilled Trades newsletter!
In this edition, we
- feature Kirsten Webber of All Terrain Property Maintenance
- recount the great experience we had at Manufacturing Matters
- share the success story of the collaboration between LiUNA and LBS
- give details for ODEN’s Rethinking Disability Conference, where we’ll have a booth
- highlight a Recommended Resource from the Step Up and Succeed Resource Hub
We are excited to share these stories with you and hope you enjoy reading them.
If you know of a skilled trades business, apprentice, or LBS success story that you think deserves to be featured in an upcoming issue, contact us at
literacylink@llsc.on.ca.
Featured Employer:
Kirsten Webber, All Terrain Property Maintenance
Kirstin Webber’s journey in workforce development began in 2005, when she and her husband Ryan founded All Terrain Property Maintenance. In the two decades since, their company has grown from a small business into one of London’s top landscape and snow removal firms, employing over 100 people each winter. In a recent interview with Jan Gourley, Kirstin discussed the company’s evolution, her approach to leadership, and her focus on team dynamics, inclusivity, strong internal leadership, and apprenticeship programs.
Interview by Jan Gourley and written by Jeremy Marks
Kirstin and Ryan launched All Terrain in their early twenties, combining a desire to start a business with memories of their own experiences growing up with the trades. Kirstin learned how to install insulation from her father, while Ryan began his own landscaping business as a teenager. They remain passionate, not only about their business and their team but also about staying curious in their roles.
Kirstin defines her leadership approach by figuring out how to make everyone feel included and valued at work. She believes in treating employees with respect by noticing their efforts and encouraging their curiosity and desire to keep learning. Kirstin trusts her management team’s experience and wants people to think for themselves, take initiative, and exercise their judgment. As she told her managers, “I think you guys should run your department meetings.’ We positioned it so they could invite guests [to attend], but it’s their meeting. It’s about giving them ownership.”
Key takeaway: Encouraging independence and accommodating struggles help unlock personal growth and team success.
This mindset guides how they work with apprentices. They are eager to take on employees who are dedicated to learning the landscaping trade and who understand that a core part of being in landscaping is dealing with the unpredictability and harsh demands of working outdoors. Currently, All Terrain is learning to manage the challenges of winter weather while meeting apprenticeship requirements. Kirstin said this has led them to reexamine how they work with the Grow program, including the season they begin the program. In landscaping, everything is dependent on careful seasonal planning: “We’re targeting to get all five apprentices through the Grow program next year. We started too late last year and missed the window. This time, we’re starting early and asking questions to make it more accessible.” Kirstin and her team are focused on certifying more staff members to support future apprentices and ensure that their company's needs and those of apprenticeship programs remain in alignment. About apprenticeship, Kirstin added, “If you’re an owner and you don’t know how the apprenticeship program is going to work, get over the fear. Give it a shot. Tell your staff, ‘We’re trying this program; we’re soft launching this.’ We’re in this boat together.”
In the spirit of continuous learning and employee growth, Kirstin and Ryan also believe in leveling up their team through training and development. They have developed a program called L2L or “Level 2 Learner.” According to Kirstin, “We want, once you’re here, for you to build your resume while you’re with us and for the next job you’re going to have with us.” In addition to helping staff expand their skills and level of experience through L2L, All Terrain offers truck and trailer clinics, helping staff gain confidence and competence in equipment handling.
When it comes to management specifically, open communication is a cornerstone of Kirstin’s leadership style. She encourages feedback through customer surveys and addresses her staff’s concerns with transparency. Her management team is exploring strategies such as department-led meetings to place more problem-solving and decision-making in the hands of unit managers. Kirstin said her goal is to foster continuous dialogue across the company. As she said to Jan, “We used to not do surveys. I thought, ‘What if they give us feedback and we can’t change what they’re asking to change?’ But I had to get over that fear.”
"As it turns out, All Terrain is “actually pretty good at accommodating most things.”
In that spirit, she and Ryan work hard to create and maintain a sense of community. They make a point of recognizing, every Friday, “core team members” who have made substantial contributions to company success. These are the regular “Good Vibes” gatherings, celebrating staff achievements and acknowledging the bonds those staff build on the job. Kirstin said her management team invests heavily in what they call their “people pillar,” emphasizing recruitment, onboarding, and retention. They aim to build a company renowned for exceptional customer service and as an outstanding workplace. To make this happen, All Terrain has enhanced its Indeed.com employee reviews and developed a comprehensive Total Rewards Package for staff, highlighting competitive benefits that extend beyond the employee wage.
But Kirstin and Ryan are interested in more than offering support through compensation and benefits.
They have made their employee onboarding process accessible to all, including accommodations for language and digital literacy, ensuring that no one they have hired feels left behind. And they have adopted an approach to employee equity that aims to strike a balance between compassion and pragmatism. Kirstin is willing to talk with staff members to figure out what types of scheduling and transportation adjustments they need to remain successful at work. She shares with Ryan a management philosophy that centers on respecting the dignity and maturity of their staff, matching their own commitment to growth with an openness to employee feedback and development.
Kirstin Webber’s approach to workforce development in the trades is a powerful example of how intentional leadership, rooted in empathy, empowerment, and continuous learning, can transform a company and its culture. Through initiatives like the Grow apprenticeship program, the L2L training model, and a deep commitment to inclusivity and employee support, All Terrain Property Maintenance is not only building a skilled workforce but also fostering a community where individuals, including apprentices, are encouraged to grow and given opportunities to do so. Kirstin’s story reminds us that investing in people by meeting them where they are, challenging them to rise, and celebrating their contributions is the foundation of a resilient and forward-thinking organization.
What We've Been Up To:
Manufacturing Matters
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Literacy Link South Central’s (LLSC) Step Up and Succeed (SUAS) team hosted the B.E.S.T. Summit (Building Employment and Skills Together).
This first-time event brought together leaders from the Learning Networks of Ontario and Workforce Planning Ontario to share best practices, deepen connections, and increase our capacity for collaboration – all with an eye on supporting Ontario's economic growth.
Summit attendees were involved in multiple sessions during the event, which focused on deepening regional connections, discussions around strengthening collaborative strategic planning between local planning boards and literacy networks, aligning provincial service coordination, and supporting each other’s work.
Step Up and Succeed also hosted an information session to share our resource hub with attendees and demonstrate how we’re supporting employers, job seekers and industry support organizations. We shared the robust set of free tools we’ve developed for small and medium-sized skilled trades employers! We also highlighted the free upskilling supports that employers and apprentices can access through Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs across Ontario to help support them with levelled schooling and certification exam success.
Delegates of the summit shared that this event was a valuable use of their time.
“I was very grateful to the organizers - this was a long overdue event and we need more events like this to plan for the future and maintain relevance in these important spaces.”
They were also appreciative for the opportunity to come together and deepen collaboration between our networks.
“Thank you to (the) organizers for a great day. Well organized.”
“This BEST Summit absolutely should continue annually IN-PERSON …and maybe annually in a virtual format too… for 2 collaborative meetings per year.”
The B.E.S.T. Summit was a tremendous success, and we look forward to continuing to deepen our connection and collaboration with our community partners and supporting growth and success for the skilled trades.
Images from B.E.S.T Summit 2025
Images from B.E.S.T Summit 2025
Images from B.E.S.T Summit 2025
Images from B.E.S.T Summit 2025
Success Story:
Building Brighter Futures through Partnership — UHC and UBC Local 494
The Literacy and Basic Skills program at UHC – Hub of Opportunities (UHC) and UBC Local 494’s Pre-Apprenticeship for Interior Systems program have collaborated to deliver a powerful Pre-Apprenticeship experience. This partnership is equipping future tradespeople not just with tools and certifications, but with the foundational skills and confidence needed to thrive in the construction industry.
Learners participate in a two-week Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) component designed to ensure that they enter the trades training phase well-prepared. Delivered by an experienced LBS instructor, the LBS portion focuses on essential math and English skills tailored to the realities of the job site.
Participants strengthen their numeracy by practicing foundational skills like basic operations without a calculator, unit conversions, and working with fractions and decimals. They also develop practical skills like calculating material costs using unit rates and determining dimensions such as area and volume. Learners gain confidence in their reading skills by developing their critical thinking skills to interpret workplace documents like Safety Data Sheets, jobsite memos, and work instructions. They also develop their writing skills to enhance their ability to communicate effectively through professional emails and text messages.
One learner reflected on their experience:
“I found the 2 weeks with Jenna to be very helpful as I had not done basic math in over 10 years. She was very clear and effective in her teaching style.”
A Comprehensive Path to the Trades
The LBS component complements the remainder of the training where learners participate in an intensive 8-week Interior Systems trade school program, complemented by a week of training in general carpenter secondary skills. Through this hands-on training, learners not only gain practical experience but also complete vital safety and industry certifications including:
• Working at Heights
• WHMIS
• Confined Space Awareness
• Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps
• Mobile Elevated Work Platform Operator
• Forklift Operator
• The Working Mind – Workplace Mental Health Training
Participants may also qualify for additional support to ensure their success in the program. These supports may come in the form of: tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), support for transportation and childcare costs, all to ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of success.
Partnering Agencies’ Background
UHC offers 26 programs and services including Employment Ontario Programs: Literacy and Basic Skills, Employment Services, and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG).
UHC is also federally funded to deliver Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and other newcomer services. They have several basic needs programs including a food bank and food rescue program,
Plentiful Harvest, that works with local farms and green houses to collect and distribute fresh produce that would otherwise be discarded. They also offer assistance with utility bills through Keep the Heat and provide winter coats to families in need through the Coats for Kids program.
UBC Local 494 represents General Carpenters, Interior Systems Mechanics, and Floor Covering Installers, the Carpenters Union has over 30,000 members across Ontario and a network of more than 15 union training centres. These centres, many with TDA (Training Delivery Agent) status, offer pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training open to all — members and non-members alike.
Looking Ahead
This partnership between UHC and UBC Local 494 is a clear example of what’s possible when community organizations and industry leaders come together. By blending academic support with trade-specific training and robust union involvement, this program opens doors for participants to build sustainable, rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Together, they’re not just building workers, they’re building futures.
Upcoming Events: Save The Date!
Growing Your Workforce Conference
Literacy Link South Central’s (LLSC) Step Up and Succeed (SUAS) team is excited to announce we will be attending the Growing Your Workforce conference in Waterloo on November 20, 2025.
Step Up and Succeed will be hosting an information session to share our resource hub with attendees and demonstrate how we’re supporting employers, job seekers and industry support organizations.
We will be sharing the robust set of free tools we’ve developed for small and medium-sized skilled trades employers! We’ll also be highlighting the free upskilling supports that employers and apprentices can access through Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs across Ontario to help support them with levelled schooling and certification exam success.
Additionally, a member of Literacy Link South Central’s (LLSC) ARISE team will be sharing the free 1-on-1 support they’re offering to apprentices to help them succeed on their path to becoming certified in the trades. We will be discussing all the supports available which can help candidates with assessing learning challenges, identifying solutions, navigating the apprenticeship registration process, preparing for test-taking and levelled schooling, and more!
The Growing Your Workforce Conference is an annual event organized by the Workforce Boards of Ontario. Each year, the conference is hosted by a different workforce development board. This year, the conference will be hosted by The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Waterloo.
The conference focuses on addressing workforce development challenges and opportunities across Southwestern Ontario, and is a vital platform for bringing together partners, including employers, service providers, institutions, and decision makers.
It is an event where ideas are exchanged, best practices are shared, and solutions are crafted to address the pressing issues facing our workforce, talent pipelines, and local labour markets.
Check the event website for more details as they become available at https://www.growingyourworkforce.ca
Check out the Step Up and Succeed Resource Hub at www.llsc.on.ca/employer-resource-hub
We’re excited to be attending this event, and we look forward to seeing you there!
More Resources to Help You Get Ahead
Want to dig even deeper into the tools and strategies the resource hub has to offer? Want to explore more? Unlock free tools and supports for your business by visiting the Step Up and Succeed Resource Hub today!
Thank you so much for joining us! We look forward to seeing you again with the next issue of Step Up and Succeed in the Trades coming in October 2025!
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