July 12, 2007 - 8:26am
Work hard and think positive – that’s Chris Lyderik’s recipe for success.
He graduated from Malaspina University-College’s Applied Business Technology (ABT) program over a year ago, and now works for Lafarge, a top international company with 70,000-plus employees and connections in 72 countries around the world.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Lyderik, who lives in Cowichan with his wife and young daughter. “Things have worked out extremely well for me. Going to Malaspina played a big part.”
Lyderik is a construction estimator for Island Slipform in Victoria, a division of Lafarge, a world leader in building supplies. Two years ago, he was manager of Quizno’s in Duncan. His motivation for a career change came from his newborn baby.
“I looked into her eyes and knew instantly I needed to find a new, more meaningful and better paying career,” he said.
Lyderick upgraded his high school Math and English through Malaspina’s popular Adult Basic Education program in 2005. He enrolled in Malaspina’s 10-month ABT program, completing level one at the Cowichan campus, and level two in Nanaimo. ABT students specialize in one of three streams – accounting, legal or administrative. Lyderik chose accounting, and landed a job as an accounting clerk with Hub City Paving, a division of Lafarge, immediately after graduation.
Two months after starting his new job, Lafarge invited Lyderik to work on a special project involving implementation of a new computer system. He trained in Alberta for four weeks, and spent eight months on the road introducing the new system and training other employees. Lyderik was offered his current position as a construction estimator in May.
“The past year has been a whirlwind,” said Lyderik. “Lafarge is a great company to work for. I enjoy the team environment.”
Don Hubbard, General Manager, for Lafarge’s North West division, Vancouver Island, and former Chair of the Malaspina University-College Board of Governors, said it’s rewarding to see Malaspina grads like Lyderik succeed.
“We’ve hired more than half a dozen Malaspina graduates in the past three years,” said Hubbard. “They’ve all come out of school prepared to work. They’re fresh and learn quickly. Lafarge wants to make sure that doors are open to them. If they work hard and persevere, they’ll go far and we’ll help them get there.”
Lyderik’s advice for anyone contemplating a career change? “Get into an educational program as quickly as you can,” he said. “If you’re interested in accounting, I highly recommend Malaspina’s ABT program. I completed 18 courses in 10 months. It’s hard work but definitely pays off. I’ve talked to other grads and they’re all working in good positions, for legal offices, car dealerships, or for government. I’m definitely using the skills I gained at Malaspina.”
For more information about ABT and other programs at Malaspina’s Cowichan campus, visit www.mala/ca/cowichan or call (250) 746-3565 or (250) 746-3500.
Tags: In the Community
