Building a Career in Construction

Finding His Path: From Apprentice to Skilled Carpenter

For Dulta, construction wasn’t always the plan. At 18, he was offered an apprenticeship in Ireland, where starting young in the trades was common. He took the opportunity, unsure at first, but soon realized he enjoyed the hands-on nature of carpentry. His four-year apprenticeship shaped his foundation, giving him the skills and confidence to build a career in the industry.

Then, life took an unexpected turn. When the recession hit, work dried up, and he made a bold decision—he joined the army. For eight years, he served with discipline and resilience, but construction never left his mind. After taking a two-year break from the military, he traveled and gained experience in residential renovations in Toronto, Canberra, and Vancouver. He liked Vancouver so much that he decided to extend his break for another year before ultimately moving there. Each move reinforced his love for the industry.

Stepping into Leadership: Becoming a Superintendent

Dulta’s path to leadership wasn’t immediate. In Vancouver, he worked as a lead carpenter for a small company but saw limited room to grow. Then, an opportunity at Kindred Construction changed everything. He joined as a carpenter, gaining exposure to foreman roles while taking on increasingly complex projects.

His breakthrough came when he expressed interest in becoming a superintendent. Instead of waiting for the opportunity to come to him, he took the initiative, calling Kindred’s leadership team and asking for the chance to learn. With mentorship and hands-on experience, he made the transition from carpenter to site leadership.

Today, he’s worked on a range of projects, from custom residential homes to large-scale developments like the McHardy affordable housing project and a 19-story mass timber building. With every project, he pushes himself to learn more and refine his approach.

“It’s not just a job—I want to grow every time. I started with residential, then commercial, then a six-story building. Now I’m working on a 19-story mass timber project. It’s always about learning and gaining experience.”

Challenges and Lessons in Leadership

Transitioning to a superintendent role came with its challenges. One of the hardest parts is learning to switch off. Early on, he found himself lying awake at night, running through details in his head—schedules, site logistics, problem-solving. Over time, experience taught him to compartmentalize and manage stress, but he acknowledges that the responsibility never fully disappears.

Another lesson: leadership isn’t about control, it’s about trust. “Train people as if you’re training your replacement,” he says. “Support them, trust them, and let them do the work. Micromanaging doesn’t build strong teams.” By fostering open communication and mentorship, he’s helping shape the next generation of site leaders.

Advice for Young People Entering Construction

Dulta believes the construction industry offers incredible opportunities, but success requires discipline and persistence. His advice to young people?

• Focus on learning, not just pay. Experience is more valuable than money early in your career. The best apprentices are the ones who immerse themselves in different aspects of the trade.
• Show up early and be consistent. Reliability matters more than raw talent. “I’d rather have someone with no skill but consistent work ethic than someone talented but unreliable.”
• Take initiative in your career. Don’t wait for someone to hand you an opportunity—go after it. If you want to grow, find a company that provides a clear path forward and get involved in as many aspects of the job as possible.

The Future of Construction

“When you finish a job, you shouldn’t be afraid to tell someone you built it. That’s massive for me.”

The industry is evolving, with more prefabrication and new technologies shaping the way buildings are constructed. But at its core, construction remains a people-driven industry. For Dulta, the best part of the job is the relationships, mentoring apprentices, working alongside skilled trades, and seeing a team come together to build something lasting.

“If you take pride in your work, you’ll never be afraid to tell someone you built it,” he says. And for him, that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.