“Transforming the voices of the trades and empowering the workforce of tomorrow”

Jamie spends 30+ weeks per year speaking and travelling across North America spreading her message and helping organizations shift gears on their recruitment and retainment efforts. A popular keynote speaker, she is called on to help open pathways and optimize workplaces.

“One of the best in our industry”

Her ability to help people overcome hesitation and gain the ability and confidence to see themselves in careers in the skilled trades is a very special and unique ability. She is one of the best in our industry, helping grow awareness and confidence for the next generation of skilled trade professionals.

Adam Melnick
Program Director Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario

“Very happy with the session”

We have had great feedback from the session with Jamie, it seems that the youth really loved it and got a lot out of it. We were very happy with the session and very glad that we had the opportunity to work with you!
FirstWork

“Established herself as a precedent”

Through her organization - KickAss Careers- Jamie has established herself as a precedent- setting icon in the world of skilled-trades awareness and promotion, and is actively sought out for speaking engagements and presentations in both academic institutions as well as professional industry engagements...and this trajectory is rising rapidly.

Darryl Spector P. Eng., PMP, President, Promation Nuclear

“A professional through and through ”

Jamie is a professional through and through and our audience mixture of all generations, all makes and models, and all races and genders all love her. I would recommend Jamie, and have, for any keynote spot that needs an emotional story that inspires motivation.

James J. Cross
Chief Culture Officer Energy Worldnet, Inc.

"Very well received"

Thank-you to Jamie for sharing her journey with our delegates, apprentices, and guests at our annual Ontario Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Convention. It was very well received and gave us a lot to contemplate as we try to be a more diverse and inclusive Union. I would recommend her to speak in front of any labour or management group. Booking through TA Speakers Management was a breeze.

Mike Mahon

Business Manager, Ontario Sheet Metal Workers' & Roofers' Conference

Speaking Topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes... click to learn more about each topic.

Empowerment: “Smiling In The Face of Adversity: Living a Life of Passion and Purpose”

“Smiling in the Face of Adversity: Living a Life of Passion & Purpose”

In this engaging and inspirational session, Jamie shares her unconventional path from “struggle to triumph” as a bored high-school student with ADHD to finding the wonderful world of trades and becoming an advocate for women in male-dominated industries. As a multi-award winner, Jamie is the perfect example of what happens when we find our true purpose, lean on those who lift us up and disregard those who pull us down. After all, success is the best revenge!

The Story behind the Slogan: “Life is a series of mountains, hills and valleys that helps teach us what it’s like to find ourselves on the wrong path; and if we’re lucky we can learn from that and find the courage to start again”. Jamie draws on her experience as an avid mountain climber, neurodivergent learner and female ironworker to lay a foundation for what it takes to “keep going” and “smile in the face of adversity” when it seems like so many around you are telling you it can’t be done. Filled with vulnerable and uplifting stories, Jamie is an inspirational women’s speaker who leaves audiences filled with a newfound sense of purpose, direction and sense of courage to blaze their own trail. This talk is perfect for anyone trying to find their own voice, path or sense of self (very popular with women, youth and marginalised groups).

Takeaways: Learn how to tackle difficult situations, set boundaries and trust yourself to make mistakes on your way towards finding what’s right for you.

Learn how to manage setbacks, failures and adversity
Develop a greater sense of confidence and courage
Embrace your inner light, and create your own path to success
Finding strength in ourselves, and others (the importance of mentorship)
“Trust in the journey, just keep exploring and no one succeeds alone”

On behalf of all of us in LIFT and at Reliance, thank you so much for today! You brought so much passion and energy to the virtual room, and everyone was really moved by your story. We had over 200 people on the call, and the feedback has been amazing! People have been leaving comments and chatting in our groups about how much they loved your talk.

We're really excited to work with you in the future and support Kickass Careers.

Rebecca Ruddle
Manager, social and digital content

Workplace Innovation: “The Workplace Detox: Build It And They Will Come”

“The Workplace Detox: Build It And They Will Come”

Good help is hard to find: but it’s harder to keep! Learn how we can work together to boost retention in the trades and become organizations thriving with RELIABLE talent. Find out why turn-over is so high, and companies are losing millions of dollars in lost productivity and supplies because of “toxic norms” affecting job sites across the country.

The Story behind the Stats: After years of working in camps, job sites and handling the same kind of antagonist behaviour that comes with nearly any workplace Jamie has identified key areas employers and unions can be taking a more active role in to help their workforce succeed. Touching on elements of mental-health, jobsite politics and talent management, Jamie brings an eye-opening perspective to what it’s really like to work on these job sites. She highlights hidden (and actionable) opportunities for employers to pivot from “bleeding staff, time and money” to “booming, thriving and supporting the workforce of tomorrow”.

Takeaways: Plan to become a more profitable, productive and progressive company that takes a step beyond the well-meaning “policies and procedures” and addresses core issues affecting workplace performance.

Improve retention and recruitment efforts

Increase jobsite safety and employee performance

Streamline spending, hiring and managing techniques

Recognize “bigger picture trends” (and get ahead of them!)

Learn how to better support workers' mental health and wellbeing.

Career Pathways: “Talk Tools In Schools: Recruiting Tomorrow’s Workforce Today”

“Talk Tools in Schools: Recruiting Tomorrow's Workforce Today”

Inspire new generations and marginalised or at-risk youth to consider a viable and fulfilling career in the trades. Learn how Jamie overcame adversity to become a female ironworker during a time when women represented less than 2% of the trades, and how her mission to partner with hundreds of schools across North America (through #KickAssCareers) has helped connect thousands of youth with the option to find better suiting careers for their learning styles.

The Story behind the Mission: It was a fluke incident in her late twenties that opened the door to the trades for Jamie, and since earning her status as a Journeyman Ironworker (one of the highest certifications you can earn) she has been on a mission to help open that same door for thousands of other women, youth and at-risk groups. Through vulnerable, real-life experiences and courageous conversations Jamie helps prepare students with what they need to know to take charge of their own lives –and futures! Her company, #KickAssCareers, speaks with over 30,000+ students, parents and educators per year in an effort to open pathways, debunk stigmas and inspire youth to find their own callings in the trades.

Takeaways: Get real-life insight into what it’s like to enter and excel in the trades.This talk is also a great break-out workshop for employers and educators who want to know how to improve RECRUITMENT. (See “Start Here, Start Now” Community Breakout Options).

Improves access to the trades

Inspires new career pathways through awareness and exploration

Helps encourage marginalised groups to overcome adversity

Help youth focus and thrive with different learning styles

Empowers educators to help steward and shepard students

“I am proud to strongly endorse Jamie McMillan and KickAss Careers. Jamie’s dedication, energy and enthusiasm are contagious as she works to spread the message. In her years as a mentor to young people, she has shared her vision with teachers, students, government officials, businesses and union leaders. Her work has been truly inspirational.”

Joseph Maloney
International Vice President, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

KickAss Careers: 1/3 of Your Life is Work: Find a Career You Love

In this inspirational speech, Jamie dives deep into the wonderful world of skilled trades and the opportunities it can bring to the next generation of talent, encouraging them to consider this incredible industry as a pathway to success and fulfillment. There are many myths and perceptions within this industry; through her own experience as a "boots on the ground" Ironworker, Jamie demystifies these myths and leans into how truly incredible these career paths can be and the outstanding benefits the skilled trades can bring to your life.

Through vulnerable and uplifting stories, Jamie is an inspirational women’s speaker who leaves audiences filled with a newfound sense of purpose, direction and sense of courage to blaze their own trail. As a multi-award winner, Jamie is the perfect example of what happens when we find our true purpose.

After all, according to Jamie; you spend a 1/3 of your life working, you might as well find a career you love. The skilled trades could just be the career you have been looking for, book this talk to learn why.

FIRST Robotics Canada

Middlesex County

ORAC | Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Skills Canada

First Work Canada

NAWIC | The National Association of Women in Construction

Reliance

Sault Community Career Centre

MCAC

OECT | Ontario Education Championship Team

TIAC | ACIT

CIQS-National

Start Here, Start Now…

Community, Consulting + Breakout Sessions

Help open career pathways for youth, marginalised groups and tomorrow’s workforce in your community by hiring Jamie to speak directly to them on behalf of your business, school or association. Helps with recruitment, education and empowerment.

Contact to learn more