Graduation Highlight: Jack Werstroh

I grew up here in The Pas

I just got out of high school and UCN is so close to home. That’s a big part of it.

I came for the automotive technician program, I’ve always had an interest in vehicles and taking things apart and figuring out how they work, that sort of thing. When I was a kid, I’d have all these little Radio Controlled cars and they’re pretty fast too. They’d go like 60 kilometers per hour. I’d fix those whenever they broke. And it kind of just went up and up from there.

Probably just getting to work on my own vehicles. I got to do timing chains on my car for the engine is a big one. Then I got a new truck and the transfer case was leaking, so I had to redo all the seals on there.

I’d probably just have to say (Automotive Technician Instructor) Riley (Wlasichuk) because he’s got pretty high standards. He makes you actually redo stuff if he doesn’t like it or it’s not good enough, you know. It keeps everyone’s standards up.

Always double check your work. Never just assume that you did something. Like physically look at the things and “Yep, I did that.”

Getting the (Arnie Paskaruk Memorial Automotive Excellence) award completely blindsided me. It was pretty nice. The award is given to someone who shows up every day, puts in the work, tries their best, just demonstrating automotive excellence. It was pretty awesome, made me pretty happy.

I’ll get my red seal eventually. Ford already hired me part-time, so I’ve been working there after school for a couple of hours every day. I’m hoping they keep me after the practicum.

Show up every day prepared to learn. Put the work in. It’s pretty simple. Everyone that shows up is still here.

A big thanks to everyone who helped me out and let me work on things and supported me. Good luck in the future to all the grads.