Brenda Varga
“As you get older you get busier and your time is more valuable. You’re busy at home, you’re busy at work, you’re busy with your life. Finding the time was challenging. I really had to settle down and push the other interferences away so I could concentrate on getting this accreditation that I really wanted.”
Brenda Varga, GSC, Project Coordinator, Bird Construction
Brenda is a Project Coordinator with Bird Construction. She began her career with Bird over 10 years ago after transitioning into the field from a coordinator position in the marketing department of another company. She felt as though she was at a stand-still in her company because there was nowhere for her to move up in her field. Her transition into her new role was possible with the help of a recruiter, and thus her career with Bird Construction began.
Now, Brenda feels satisfaction and pride with her job. She’s had the ability to work on several very large and extremely prestigious projects including the McMaster University Engineering building, York University Osgoode Hall, the Royal York Hotel 7-8th Floor renovation, Maple Leaf Foods and currently the East Rail Maintenance Facility.
She eventually discovered the Gold Seal Certification when Stephanie Wallace, the Director of the Gold Seal Certification Program, came to the Bird Construction offices in Toronto to host a live info-session. The Gold Seal program has always been promoted within Bird Construction. It’s a company-wide culture. “I like challenges and this became the next one for me.”
Brenda describes her motivation as the enjoyment of being challenged. “The Branch Manager who hired me and the Human Resources Manager both challenged me to try and get my Gold Seal Certification. I had to develop my management skills, increase my management experience and complete the specified hours of training to be eligible to write the Gold Seal exam. It was a long struggle of more than five years for me to obtain my certification but I did it! I’m so happy I got it!”
Brenda obtained her Gold Seal Certification in February 2017.
“It’s an honour to have received my Gold Seal Certification. Now, I’m going to be able to mentor the younger employees and other people in the company. I’m proud that I didn’t give up and I chased my goal. It’s absolutely a very good career move, and you know what, get it while you’re young!”