At 20 years of age, Dustin Thomson is unlike most of his peers. Dustin finished high school six months
early and has been running his own company for over a year.

As a teen, he rode bulls on the rodeo circuit where he met a friend whose father worked for Ledcor. Dustin
accepted a job there, working after school, on holidays and on weekends. He loved being outdoors, learning
about heavy duty mechanics from his co-workers.

His high school work experience coordinator suggested that he enroll in the Registered Apprenticeship
Program (RAP) to gain work experience, apply for a scholarship and start his training two years before
graduation. Dustin grabbed the opportunity, earning more than 40 credits in the process.

At 18, he graduated and left for the oilsands to work a pipeline job. Dustin returned to Edmonton with money in his jeans and headed for a vehicle auction. He purchased a service truck—basically a portable shop with a welder, air compressor and tools—for only $8,000. He has since spent several months—and $40,000—fixing it up. Dustin registered his own company and operates as a subcontractor for Ledcor. He’s in his fourth year of NAIT’s heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship program, earning nearly as much as a foreman,

Dustin is now involved with Careers: The Next Generation which promotes the trades in Alberta. He was a
guest speaker last October at the RAP annual awards show. He wishes more people would take advantage of the program. Though 500 scholarships are available each year, they are rarely accessed. Dustin hopes to sponsor a scholarship “… to give back for what they’ve done for me.” He proudly says “I’m living proof that what these people do for the community and this industry is really working.”

A country boy at heart, Dustin still lives on a farm and helps his neighbours in his spare time. His humble
attitude makes his achievements all the more impressive. “I’m just a little guy,” he says shyly. He doesn’t
want to be treated any differently, adding “I try to be like everyone else and just do my job.”

But even Dustin can’t deny that he’s on his way to big things.