The CUSW Spotlight Podcast

Building Careers and Culture in the Trades with Owen Johnston - Episode #6

β€’ Canadian Union of Skilled Workers β€’ Episode 6

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Owen is CUSW’s Recruitment Lead and a man whose career path is as diverse as it is inspiring.  

From earning a Social Work degree and working in street outreach for Toronto’s Indigenous community, to scaffolding, parts management, and safety leadership at Bruce Power, Owen has brought compassion, resilience, and adaptability to every role he's taken on.  

He’s also a Pro Board Certified Fire Fighter and Live Fire Instructor, a volunteer fire fighter and a contract employee at Georgian College as a live fire instructor in their Marine program. He serves on the boards of both the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre and Indigenous Skills Employment Apprenticeship and Development Canada. (ISEAD) 

Owen shares how he was introduced to CUSW. This journey led him to his current recruitment role and his ongoing mission to build pathways into the trades for youth, second-career workers, and Indigenous communities.  

Host Dan and Owen discuss how cultural respect, mentorship, and safety are foundational to union life, and they emphasize that these values start at home. This episode is a testament to lived experience, lifelong learning, and working together to build a better future. 

One of Owen’s shining moments has been sharing his Indigenous culture through sweat lodge ceremonies with fellow CUSW members. The next sweat lodge ceremony will be held on August 30, 2025. If you’re interested in learning more or participating, Owen invites you to reach out to the Indigenous Engagement ie@cusw.ca.  

As we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, communities across Canada will be hosting events to celebrate the heritage, strength, and culture of First Nations, Inuit, and MΓ©tis peoples. Check the link below for more information. 

https://www.cusw.ca/-/national-indigenous-peoples-day?redirect=%2Fnews 

 

If you have any questions or want to connect with Owen, email him directly at ojohnston@cusw.ca and if you have a story to share, want to suggest a guest, or have a topic you'd like to hear on the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, feel free to reach out to us at podcast@cusw.ca. We’d love to hear from you! 

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🎡 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.

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