WAAB’GONII GIIZIS | BLOSSOMING MOON | JUNE 2025
Not unlike many teenagers, Tanner Southwind had no idea what he wanted to do after he graduated from high school. But rather than stagnate in that uncertainty or start working without a direction, he invested more time in learning – both about himself and what might be possible. Tanner returned to Espanola High School for what he calls a “comeback year”. He enrolled in the Co-operative Education Program (co-op), and decided he’d like to try mechanics.
That’s where Z’gamok Enterprises Inc. (ZEI) and its group of companies come into the picture. Tanner secured a co-op placement with ZCLP in the Fall of 2022, working mainly at OCL’s two-bay shop in Nairn Centre, where the team services the company’s large fleet of vehicles and other machinery. His responsibilities started small – sweeping the floor, taking care of housekeeping in the shop. Over time, the door opened to do more. “They started to let me turn some wrenches with the other guys,” shares Tanner.
By the time he completed his co-op term in the Summer of 2023, Tanner was hooked on mechanics and ready to take the next step in his education and career. He was offered a full-time job as an apprentice and was able to start working right away. “There was no downtime,” Tanner says. What a great opportunity for a young Sagamonian to enter the work force in a skilled trade directly out of high school, all while continuing to live right here in his home community.
Tanner started applying to schools; it is necessary for him to complete both in-class instruction as well as on-the-job hours for Heavy Equipment Technician certification. He received a couple of offers for school, including Sault College and Cambrian. Ultimately, he chose the Cambrian program as it allows him to attend school once a week, while continuing to work. By comparison, the Sault College program is condensed into two months of full-time schooling; the downside being that the apprentice must forgo a regular paycheck during that time. Tanner completed his first year in the program from September 2024 to April 2025. He’s now waiting to write his final exam. When he passes, he’ll be eligible to start Level 2 of the in-class instruction. Eventually, he’ll complete Level 3 as well, and with his hours of hands-on work with ZCLP, he’ll be a licensed journeyman.
In addition to hours spent working on vehicles in the Nairn Center shop, Tanner spends time shadowing two different field service mechanics. Together, they travel to various mine sites to work on the vehicles and heavy equipment located there. Ask Tanner what his favourite part of the job is, and he’ll say, “Biggest thing I like is that I get to work on damn near everything.” From light vehicles, SUVs and highway trucks to jaw crushers, big wheel loaders, and excavators, he has an opportunity to learn and work on all of them! This kind of variety and having the opportunity to consistently be learning new things is a recipe for enjoying the day-to-day of a job and building a long and satisfying career.
Tanner has no plans of stopping his education and career growth after he finishes his certification as a Heavy Equipment Technician. Next, he’s got his sights set on writing his Licensed Truck and Coach exam. This additional certification will allow him to legally work on highway haulage trucks, conducting their annual inspections, and ultimately signing-off that they are road-worthy.
When he’s not at the shop or out on a site, Tanner’s got a hobby (or several!) for every season: up at camp, fishing, and quadding in the Summertime; travelling up the Tote Road to hunt in the Fall; and ice fishing and out on the snowmobile come Winter.
We can all agree that the beginning of Tanner’s story resembles that of many youth, full of uncertainty. But Tanner is an important example of what is possible when young people lean into education as a key brick along their path, even if that starts with returning to high school for a “comeback year”. It’s a space to continue self-exploration and with programs like co-op, students can try out different jobs and career paths in a safe and supported environment. What’s also special here is the role that ZEI plays in providing meaningful employment and opportunities to build a successful career to those committed to continuing their education and training, right here at home in Sagamok.