About
Rob has been teaching carpentry with NIC Trades and Technical Training since 2015.
A Red Seal carpenter, he brings 15 years of instructional experience to NIC and was
previously a successful small business owner in the areas of contracting, excavating
and construction of residential and light commercial buildings.
Rob’s varied experience includes working as a scenic carpenter on Vancouver movie
sets for E.P. Canada Productions (Twentieth Century Fox) and as a residential housing
contractor in Japan. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and recently collaborated
with NIC as the Ace-it Carpentry Coordinator for School District 71.
As well as his Red Seal, Rob completed his bachelor of education degree in technology
and completed his master of education degree in curriculum studies at the University
of Victoria.
Rob is a strong promoter of education in trades and trade occupations. He enjoys teaching
the next generation of Carpenters in BC and giving back to the trade that he has enjoyed
so much over the years.
Credentials
- Journeyman Carpenter (Red Seal) (1994)
- B.Ed., University of British Columbia (2004)
- M.Ed. Curriculum Development, University of Victoria (2015)
Programs Taught
- Carpentry Apprenticeship Harmonized
- Carpentry Foundation Harmonized Certificate
- Construction Craft Worker Apprenticeship
Publications
- Laird, R. (2015). "Changing the public's perception of high school shop class to increase
enrollment in apprenticeship and reduce the shortage of Skilled Trades people in B.C."
