Sask Polytech helped student on a path to success personally and professionally
After coming to Canada on a work visa, Nakary Lopez was looking for English language instruction at Saskatchewan Polytechnic when she found so much more.
Lopez arrived in Canada in 2015 and applied for her permanent residency after two years. The situation in her home country of Venezuela had changed and she could see a future for herself in Canada.
“2019 was a good year for me,” she said. “I got my permanent residency in May and in July my family arrived. It’s hard to be separated from family. When my son arrived things were much better.”
Lopez studied gas engineering in Venezuela and although she could speak English, she wanted to improve her skills for a career in Canada. She applied to Sask Polytech’s Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) when she received a call that changed her career aspirations once again.
After an interview with Dalton Mervold, program head of Parts Management Technician program (at the time), Lopez was among 15 students admitted to the Parts Person applied certificate, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. This program provided newcomers with sponsored training for the Parts Person applied certificate and English for employment training.
Studying, working and raising her son presented a number of challenges for Lopez but she persevered.
“It wasn’t easy but thankfully I had lots of good friends, classmates and instructors helping me,” she said.
By the end of 2020 Lopez earned her Parts Person applied certificate and was ready to begin her 12-week internship, but the lack of a vehicle presented another obstacle. Once again a challenge turned into an opportunity and on her birthday in August, Lopez began her internship in the Shipping and Receiving department at Sask Polytech.
“Sask Polytech liked my work and my enthusiasm,” she says. Following her internship, Lopez has since moved into a part-time and then a full-time position. She enjoys the variety and opportunities in her role that includes tasks that range from processing purchase orders and providing direct customer service to driving forklifts and skid steers. She’s putting the skills and knowledge she learned in class into practice. Improving herself and advancing her career are at the forefront of her mind as she continues her studies in her level 2 parts technician apprenticeship and in Sask Polytech’s Leadership Skills certificate of achievement. Her goal is to become a Red Seal Endorsed (RSE) parts technician, something she feels she can achieve through instruction and support at Sask Polytech.
In addition to her studies, Lopez has been studying for another test that will change her life.
“When I applied for my Canadian citizenship, I was very nervous. It took a lot of courage to apply, and I studied so hard,” she says. Once again, her hard work and determination paid off and Lopez received a perfect score. Both her and her 14-year-old son officially became Canadian citizens on April 13 during a ceremony in Saskatoon.
“I am so excited to call Canada my home and to build a life with my son here.”
Sask Polytech has played an important role in Lopez’s career journey in Canada. Over 10 employees from Sask Polytech’s Parts Management Technician program, Shipping and Receiving department and campus store attended Lopez’s citizenship ceremony to celebrate her incredible accomplishments.
“I had the privilege of instructing Nakary during her studies in the Parts Person applied certificate. Nakary was an amazing student, all the students in her cohort were. It is clear that Nakary’s drive and determination have been key factors in her success. It is inspiring to see someone who is so motivated to reach their goals succeed! I am excited to see what Nakary will accomplish in the future, and I wish her all the best in her continued learning and success,” says April Jones, School of Transportation instructor.
Learn more about Sask Polytech’s Parts Person applied certificate and Leadership Skills certificate of achievement.
Join the Sask Polytech alumni community! Register as an alumni today.
Employment and Social Development Canada funded the Newcomer Parts Person applied certificate pilot project in 2020. Additionally, the project received funding from the Government of New Brunswick, Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; Alberta Work Essential Skills; and the Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signatory to the SDG Accord. Sustainable Development Goal alignment is one of the ways Sask Polytech is leading the rise of polytechnic education.
Published April 2023.