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A person working in the trades with long dark hair, glasses, and tattoos leans against a wall in an industrial hallway lined with dark hanging items, wearing a black t-shirt and pants.
Red Seal certified Welder and Professor at Loyalist College, Emma Holdbeck.

Working in the Trades: Emma Holdbeck

Born and raised in the Bay of Quinte, Emma Holdbeck, a Red Seal certified Welder 456A, is now a professor at Loyalist College, in the Welding Techniques and Fabrication Technician programs, which she is an alumna of. 

Fueled by her passion for cars and automotive sports, Emma was drawn to the trades because they allowed her to learn and work with her hands, flex her creativity, and be a part of something bigger.

A person working in the trades, wearing protective gear and a welding mask, is welding metal beams in an industrial setting, with sparks and light visible.

“I enjoy working with my hands; it’s how I learn,” Emma explained. “I love being creative, adaptable, and getting gratification from seeing a final product that I’ve worked on or taken part in. I’m not someone who can read it and learn it,” Emma continued. “I am a hands-on, trial-and-error type of person. The self-discipline that comes with this career choice has also been very rewarding and creates pride for my parents, seeing their daughter be fearless and self-sufficient.”

While attending Loyalist College, Emma worked for Alliance Custom Fabrication in Belleville as a summer student, working on 3D drafting and designing. She also worked onsite at P&G and Redpath Sugar to maintain, repair and redesign equipment. 

After graduating from Loyalist College, Emma started a business with a friend doing contract work. They took on a six-month government contract at Millhaven Institution, converting a wing of the prison into a shower facility.

Large white metal arches are being lifted by a yellow overhead crane inside a warehouse, showcasing the skills of those working in the trades; a green forklift and flatbed truck stand nearby.
A look inside the shop where Belleville's Catherine St. pedestrian bridge was built.

Once that contract was completed, Emma worked on a job raising the roof of a local building by 20 feet, where she gained experience using CNC equipment and ironworking. She also worked on the Catherine St. pedestrian bridge in Downtown Belleville. 

Her last full-time job before becoming a professor was at Kilmarnock Enterprise, where she broadened her skills again by working on millwright-led projects.

What Emma loves most about working in the trades is that she’s always learning something new and the connections she’s made throughout her career.

“I love learning something new every day, and creating long-lasting friendships and support systems within the crews I’ve worked with,” Emma told us. “Sometimes you see your coworkers more than your own family. With my current position, I have far more time for family, friends, and a stronger commitment to hobbies. When I was working two jobs, I was working on average 60 hours a week or more, but those were the times of major self-discipline,” Emma explained. “I understood the sacrifice of time with family for high earnings. Having both perspectives now, it makes me appreciate the value of time with loved ones, and I’m proud of myself for the dedication I had to growing my skills and my career to be able to have this lifestyle now.”

Two Nissan 350Z cars, perfect for those working in the trades, are parked side by side on an asphalt lot near a white building under a partly cloudy sky.
Emma's car at Shannonville Motorsports Park.

In her spare time, Emma and her fiancé, Josiah, are both into auto sports, specifically drifting. 

“I have a Nissan 350Z that I take to the track to better my skills as a driver, but mostly, I support my fiancé, Josiah Fallaise, who owns FDF Raceshop, and I am part of his team for professional drift events,” Emma said. “His commitment, dedication and contribution to Quinte West with his business motivates me to have a similar impact,” Emma said. “Drifting incorporates everything I enjoy. Welding, fabricating, insanely built cars, reverse engineering and designing parts, and the great community of people,” she continued. 

A woman kneels to inspect or adjust a rear tire on a drift car—her focus and skill echo those working in the trades—while a man in a racing suit stands nearby in the garage area.

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering a career in the trades, Emma had this to offer: “Keep a positive and open mindset. No question is a silly question since everyone has been in the position of not being sure, and the best course of action is to ask for help, advice, or to be shown. Making a mistake is part of the job; it’s how you learn from it that defines you as a tradesperson.”


If you’re interested in learning more about the skilled trades, visit Skilled Trades Ontario here, or find a list of all the skilled trades programs Loyalist College has to offer here!

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Work in Quinte as a division of The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board is committed to acknowledging, appreciating and understanding the Indigenous peoples’ historic connection to this land and to raising awareness by building relationships in collaboration with Indigenous partners and communities. 

We recognize and acknowledge that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Mississauga, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee which includes the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) with whom we work in direct partnership with. 

This partnership focuses on the common goal of celebrating the region with the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka who are equal partners within the organization and at the Board of Directors table contributing to the mandate and operations.

This mandate includes listening to, learning from, and collaborating with the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka and actively incorporating their culture and heritage into the practice of responsible destination marketing and management of the region.

We understand that this land acknowledgement is only a small step towards the larger process of reparations and reconciliation.