Meet the STEP team

Northern BC

Prince George, BC

3851 Eighteenth Avenue Prince George, BC V2N 1B1

Kassidy Stuart

Kassidy Stuart

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Kassidy joined STEP in Prince George in August of 2022. She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in Human Resource Management. She has a background in health and safety, team management, and sales. Kassidy is excited to be a part of the STEP program and support both job seekers and employers in her region. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and sitting down with a cup of coffee and a good book.

Terrace, BC

204 – 4650 Lazelle Ave. Terrace, BC V8G 1S6

Steven Bernard

Steven Bernard

Regional Employment Placement Specialist/LNG Canada Connect Representative

Steven relocated to Terrace from Victoria about 20 years ago. He has worked for the BC Construction Association since 2013. While living in Victoria Steve worked as a residential house framer for 10 years. Steve holds a B.Sc. (Psychology) and is presently near completing his BSW part time at the Terrace UNBC campus. Before working for the BCCA, Steve worked in Terrace as a band social worker for local First Nation community, as a parole supervisor for Corrections Canada and as a child protection social worker with MCFD.

Prince Rupert, BC

610 – 2nd Ave West, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1H2

Shannon Bahm

Shannon Bahm

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Shannon joined the STEP program in April 2022. Born and raised in Prince Rupert, she has a deep connection to the city and its people. Shannon comes from a background in employment advising, workforce development and community and employer engagement. She is excited to be a part of the STEP team and help play a part in the booming construction industry of Northwest BC. In her spare time Shannon enjoys camping and many other outdoor activities.

Fort St. John, BC

#2 – 10230 100th Street Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Y9

Teresa German

Teresa German

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Teresa joined the STEP team in May 2019 and provides services to the Northeast region. Her office is located in Fort St. John, where she was born and raised. She comes from 8 years of experience working at WorkBC as a Senior Case Manager, assisting job seekers in finding employment and managing their careers. She has also owned and operated businesses throughout the years and has a direct understanding of employer challenges. Teresa has a Social Service Worker Diploma and obtained designation as a BC Certified Career Practitioner. Teresa loves being part of STEP team and helping job seekers navigate their career in the trades. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, hiking, travelling, camping, and spending time with friends and family.

Southern Interior

Kelowna, BC

104 – 151 Commercial Drive Kelowna, BC V1X 7W2

Sharon Miller

Sharon Miller

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Sharon has been with the STEP team since 2012. With degrees in Education and Psychology, Sharon has over 30 years of experience in the Education and Employment sectors. She has been an elementary school teacher, group facilitator, adult upgrading instructor, a job-finding club coach, and a case manager/employment counselor. While working for WorkBC in Chilliwack, Sharon took on the role of Apprenticeship Specialist. Upon moving to Kelowna, she found her fit as a REPS. Sharon is grateful for the fulfilling and dynamic position.

David Croteau

David Croteau

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Dave has been working with STEP since 2009. He has over 30 years of trades related experience, working as a Certified Welder/Heavy Equipment Operator, and Welding Instructor. He is also a Qualified Career Development Practitioner. Throughout his career Dave has always been passionate about assisting apprentices and connecting them to employers with a focus on completing the Red Seal certification.

Sarina Klein

Sarina Klein

Senior Regional Coordinator

Sarina is a Senior Regional Coordinator for STEP. She has been handling all day-to-day administrative tasks for our Southern Interior team since 2011, and now assists our Greater Vancouver team as well. She holds a certificate in accounting from the Okanagan College and lives in Kelowna. She grew up, worked, and studied business in Europe before moving to Canada. Outside of work, she likes hiking, boating and spending time with her family. She strongly believes in the power of positive thinking in the workplace.

Susan Bitz

Susan Bitz

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Originally from Newfoundland, Susan relocated to British Columbia in 2020 and joined STEP in June 2021. Her office is in Kelowna. Prior to working for STEP, Susan has spent the last 13 years in Ontario working in construction as a Wall and Ceiling Installer (Lather) and is Red Seal certified. Susan is looking forward to meeting, assisting, and supporting tradespeople with finding their right fit within the trades. In her spare time Susan enjoys spending time with her kids and husband, baking, and travelling.

Kamloops, BC

101 – 1410 Pearson Place Kamloops, BC V1S 1J9

Joelle Mosey

Joelle Mosey

Training and Communications Coordinator

Joelle has been working in the career services field for over 10 years providing guidance and support to job seekers and employers from various industries. With a degree in education and psychology, Joelle enjoys motivating and inspiring others to work towards their career and educational goals. In her spare time, she enjoys being a mom and spending time with family and friends.

Afra Nazeer

Afra Nazeer

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Afra joined STEP in January 2022. Afra comes from a recruitment background of 3+ years, placing top notch talent in various fields. Education and experience in Home Science, Architecture and Human Resource Management, have given Afra a distinctive perspective in assisting clients with skilled trades employment.

She has a passion for architecture and believes that constructing a building goes beyond brick and mortar, as it is a way of enriching the quality of life within a community. Outside of her profession she enjoys activities such as traveling, painting and building miniature designs.

Kootenays, BC

Cassandra Lobban

Cassandra Lobban

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Cassie joined STEP in April 2019. Her office is in Cranbrook. Cassie comes from a case management and education background coordinating various programs in schools and the community. Cassie has a degree in Geography with a focus on urban planning and development. She is excited to be part of the construction sector and looks forward to being involved in exciting new projects in the region. In her spare time Cassie can be found at the playground, local lakes or in the mountains with her daughter and husband.

Allan Pusey

Allan Pusey

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Allan is excited to return to his role as the Kootenay REPS after a brief hiatus from 2019. He is a Red Seal carpenter with over a decade of experience in residential, commercial and industrial carpentry. He has worked his way up from being the green handed newbie, to the apprentice, the journeyman, the foreman and has also owned and managed his own carpentry business, giving him a wealth of knowledge to share with his STEP participants. In his off time, he can usually be found either writing and playing music or attending live music concerts and festivals, and cruising around on his e-bike.

Greater Vancouver

Vancouver, BC

3636 East 4th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5M 1M3

Kyle Maggs

Kyle Maggs

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Kyle has worked as a REPS for STEP since 2011. His office is in Vancouver. Prior to working for STEP, Kyle spent 10 years in the Glazier trade installing glazing systems on commercial construction projects all over the lower mainland. During this time he completed the Glazier apprenticeship and earned Red Seal certification going on to work as a lead hand and a foreman. Kyle has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

Faith Dempster

Faith Dempster

Director, Workforce Development

Faith has worked for BCCA since STEP’s early days in 2009. Her office is in Vancouver. Having spent over a decade working in construction and shipbuilding as a Welder-Fabricator and Heavy Equipment Operator, and more recently as a REPS and Director for STEP, Faith is well-versed in BC’s construction industry and apprenticeship process. In her current role, she continues her mission of helping British Columbians connect to great careers in the skilled trades.

Becky He

Becky He

Provincial Coordinator

Becky has worked with STEP since 2011. Her office is in Vancouver. She grew up in China where she earned her degree in Accounting before starting her career with Hunan Electric Power Company. She immigrated to Canada in 2004 and joined the STEP team in 2011. As an immigrant, Becky loves the country and really enjoys her new life and career in Canada.

Abbotsford, BC

C – 2309 McCallum Rd Abbotsford, BC V2S 3N7

Doug Halvorson

Doug Halvorson

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Doug has been working with STEP since June 2014. His office is in Abbotsford. Prior to his role as REPS, Doug worked in automotive and residential glass replacement for 10 years. He has experience in a variety of trades including electrical, installing security systems, insulating, and pipe laying. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as playing men’s league hockey and golf. He was born in Vancouver and has always lived in the lower mainland and Fraser valley.

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Sarah joined STEP in January 2022 as a REPS. Coming from a customer service and legal background, she is excited to now be working in the construction sector and can’t wait to use her skills to assist participants with finding their ideal placement. In her spare time, Sarah plays slo-pitch softball on multiple teams in Langley and Chilliwack. She is so thrilled to support participants and get them set up for success!

Vancouver Island

Nanaimo, BC

5 – 1850 Northfield Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 3B3

Kelsey Botting

Kelsey Botting

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Originally a "flat lander" from Saskatchewan, Kelsey has lived in Nanaimo since 2008. She previously worked with the Canadian Home Builders‘ Association before joining STEP in 2017. Her connections with local construction employers and her background in civil engineering, psychology, and recruitment have given her a unique perspective to help apprentices get started in their construction careers. As a REPS, Kelsey enjoys supporting people to fulfill their goals. She’s always excited to hear "I got the job!"

Victoria, BC

203-3531 Uptown Blvd. Victoria, BC V8Z 0B9

Noel Ainsley

Noel Ainsley

Regional Employment Placement Specialist

Noel is a Red Seal Carpenter with over 20 years of field experience, both on the tools and in site management. He happily moved to Nanaimo in 2020 after spending most of his career in Alberta. He is passionate about people and equity, striving to improve lives through his work and play. He enjoys live music, interactive art and being in the trees.

Home Office

203-3531 Uptown Blvd. Victoria, BC V8Z 0B9

Bonnie-Lynne Ceriko

Bonnie-Lynne Ceriko

Programs Coordinator

Bonnie-Lynne has worked for the BC Construction Association (BCCA) since 2012. Her office is in Victoria. She started as a Regional Coordinator with STEP. Bonnie-Lynne is now Programs Coordinator with STEP, LNG Canada Trades Training, LNG Canada Connect program, and Coastal GasLink Connect program. She brings over 20 years of experience working with federal and provincial employment programs. Bonnie-Lynne enjoys traveling and embroidery - if she can combine the two, it’s a good thing!