Our Stories

Victoria Henneberry is making a difference on the job and in schools across Nova Scotia for girls in STEM. A Pipefitter Apprentice at Irving Shipbuilding and an alumna of the Techsploration program, Victoria is now giving back to the organization that helped inspire her to become a tradesperson.

Victoria is now a Techsplorer Role Model, a term coined by Techsploration, an organization that provides young women and non-binary youth from grades nine through twelve the opportunity to explore science, trades, and technology occupations. Victoria is a proud alumna of the program and is excited to inspire the next generation of Techsplorers.

“It’s so rewarding to be a role model to the next generation of girls in STEM. I visited Halifax Shipyard as a Techsplorer in 2012 and admired the women who were working here at the time. I remember being in these girls’ shoes. I used to think ‘I can see myself working here someday,’ so to be here now 10 years later is special. To be able to inspire young Techsplorers the way I was inspired 10 years ago and to see everything come full circle is amazing.”

Victoria first discovered her passion for the trades as a young child spending time with her father, who is a Skilled Trades Teacher.

“My dad is my biggest inspiration for getting into Pipefitting. I always knew I wanted to go into the trades, I just didn’t know which one. As a child, I was always out in the garage with my dad when he was working on projects, so I have always been around that type of environment. He’s shown me how rewarding a career in the trades can be.”

Originally from Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Victoria worked as a Pipefitter at Shelburne Ship Repair for four years after completing the Pipefitting program at NSCC, before coming to Halifax Shipyard in 2022.

“I took Pipefitting at NSCC Straight Area Campus in 2015 and graduated with honours. My shipyard journey started with a five-week program through NSCC at Shelburne Ship Repair. I joined the Shelburne Ship Repair team full time in 2018 and got to see how the ship repair side of the business works, and now I get to help build AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy at Halifax Shipyard.”

Last month, Victoria was recognized as one of Irving Shipbuilding’s Apprentices of the Month, nominated by Production Supervisor, Nick Harris.

“Victoria is an extremely positive worker and adapted well to the high pace of the shipyard,” says Nick. “Victoria is very pleasant, easy to get along with, hardworking and a team player. She has since moved on to another crew to gain some more construction experience however, I would gladly have her work for me again.”

Victoria credits her support system at home and at work for her continued success.

“My parents, my grandparents, and my entire family have been my biggest champions and inspire me to continue pushing myself,” says Victoria. “Here at work, the crews I have been working with have welcomed me with open arms, and instantly made me feel like I belong, and I have an important role to play here. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”