Tania-Joy Bartlett has spent her life breaking barriers few even dared to approach. As a Red Seal–certified electrician with Ontario Power Generation, she’s worked in environments where women are still a rarity. Her career has been defined by hard work, determination, and a belief that skill—not gender—should decide success.
Tania-Joy didn’t picture herself in steel-toed boots. She first studied law, earning a diploma as a legal assistant before realizing her heart belonged in hands-on work. At Durham College, she trained to become a Construction and Maintenance Electrician, earning her 309A license and every safety certification she could.
Over the years, Tania-Joy faced moments that tested her patience and resolve. When she wasn’t accepted in certain workplaces, she built her own—one focused on equality, safety, and quality. The company later closed, but that didn’t stop her. Instead, she used the experience to shape a stronger sense of purpose.
Today, she continues to mentor and encourage others, especially young women, to consider careers in the trades. She often speaks to students about confidence, respect, and the value of education. Her shelves hold more than two dozen community awards, but she says her favorite moments come from seeing others succeed.
Off the job, Tania-Joy enjoys fishing, reading, and spending time with her family. Her story is one of resilience—proving that no matter the challenge, the right mix of skill, self-belief, and heart can light the way forward.
What inspires you to keep pushing forward in such a demanding field?
I’ve always believed in working with purpose. Electricity is invisible, but the work we do keeps entire communities running. There’s something powerful about knowing your effort matters, even if no one sees it. What really keeps me going, though, is the next generation. When I walk into a classroom to talk to students about trades, I see kids who’ve never considered this path. Watching their eyes light up when they realize they could do this too—that’s what fuels me.
You’ve mentioned that being a woman in the trades came with challenges. How did those experiences shape your outlook?
They made me tougher, but also more compassionate. Early in my career, I worked for an employer where I wasn’t fully accepted. There were comments, looks, and that constant feeling of having to prove yourself. Instead of walking away, I focused on becoming the most qualified person in the room. I took every safety and leadership course offered—lockout/tagout, incident investigation, conflict resolution—you name it. My thinking was simple: if you can’t change the bias right away, outwork it. Eventually, people stopped seeing a “female electrician” and just saw another tradesperson.
You even started your own company at one point. What drove that decision?
Frustration, honestly. I was tired of seeing workplaces where people didn’t feel safe or respected. I wanted to build a company where safety and equality weren’t slogans—they were the foundation. We focused on training, quality work, and fair treatment for everyone. It was one of the proudest chapters of my life. But I learned that success isn’t about one project or company—it’s about the standards you carry into everything you do.
How do you inspire confidence in others, especially in a trade that can feel intimidating?
Confidence doesn’t come from pep talks. It comes from preparation. When I mentor apprentices, I tell them: “Don’t fake confidence—earn it.” That means learning your craft, understanding the rules, and asking questions until things make sense. I also try to lead by example. If I’m up at 5 a.m., checking schematics or reviewing safety plans, they see that discipline. It shows that taking your work seriously is its own kind of confidence.
Can you share a moment when you realized you’d inspired someone else?
A few years ago, after speaking at a local high school, a student emailed me saying she’d decided to apply for an electrical apprenticeship. She told me she didn’t think she was “smart enough for the trades” until hearing me talk about how education and self-determination can open doors. That message stuck with me. Sometimes you don’t realize how much impact one honest conversation can have.
You’ve received many community awards. Do any stand out as especially meaningful?
The Junior Achievement Volunteer Awardwas my first and will always mean the most to me. It wasn’t about how many hours I worked or what project I led—it was about mentorship. I love that organization because it’s focused on helping young people connect ambition to real-world skills. That recognition reminded me that sharing your story, even the hard parts, can help others see a path forward. John McNutt and Cody McIntyre gave me a platform and are the true superhero’s in my books.
What risks have you taken that paid off in unexpected ways?
Starting over, more than once. Leaving a stable job to go back to school for electrical training was a huge risk. So was running my own business after facing discrimination. Each step came with uncertainty, but every time I took a risk, it brought growth. The biggest risk, though, was choosing to be open about the challenges I’ve faced. Talking about harassment or inequality isn’t easy, but silence doesn’t solve anything. By speaking out, I’ve found others who share those experiences—and together, we’ve started small changes in our workplaces.
The biggest lesson was that these people discriminating against me, don’t know me and there for do not define me!
What does success look like to you now?
Success used to mean proving myself. Now it means peace of mind. It’s knowing that the people I work with feel safe and respected. It’s mentoring an apprentice who becomes a better electrician than me. And it’s going home at the end of the day with clean safety records and no regrets.
You’ve built a reputation for balancing toughness with empathy. How do you keep that balance?
It’s a work in progress. The trades can harden you if you let them. But I try to remember that everyone on a job site has a story. Some people are fighting their own battles. My job as a leader isn’t just to inspect the wiring—it’s to make sure the people doing it feel supported. I think empathy and accountability can exist side by side.
What advice would you give to someone afraid to take the next step in their career or business?
Fear is natural—it means you care. But if you wait until you’re completely ready, you’ll never move. Start small. Take one certification. Apply for one job that scares you a little. Confidence grows from those steps. And when something goes wrong—and it will—don’t let that define you. I’ve had setbacks that nearly broke me, but every time I rebuilt stronger. That’s how you turn risk into resilience.