J.D. Irving, Limited and NBM Railways are proud to announce that Rebecca Nicolle has been awarded a Master Mentor Award by the New Brunswick Mentorship Apprentice Program (NB MAP).

The Master Mentor Award is awarded to someone who has proven themselves as an advocate of apprenticeship training for skilled trades in New Brunswick - someone who contributes to the learning and development of the students and apprentices around them.

Rebecca started her railway career as a high school student on a co-op term. After graduating high school she took her Marine Mechanic course in St. Andrews before returning to NBM Railways. Once back at the railway, she started working her way towards earning a Red Seal designation as a Millwright/Industrial Mechanic in 2021.

Throughout her time at NBM Railways she had wonderful mentors, always offering to help out and turning every opportunity into a teaching moment - something she now does with students and new employees. Students have reached out to managers asking to be put on the same shift as Rebecca because they learn so much from her. 

"Rebecca is a skilled mechanic, very smart and truly dedicated to her profession. These are great strengths, but it's her ability to share knowledge that really stands out amongst her peers," said Luke Foster, Senior Team Leader of Maintenance and Rebecca's manager. "She has a way of mentoring that is so natural and effortless, you can see she enjoys sharing her knowledge with those around her. People gravitate to Rebecca for help because her advice is very constructive, clear and non-judgmental."

"I'm here today because of the mentors I had when I first started. I wouldn't have the skillset or love for the job that I do without their guidance and I just want to give our students the same experience," said Rebecca. "If I can help even one student discover the love for the job that I have, then I feel that I've been successful."

In 2021, J.D. Irving, Limited was awarded the Industry Champion Award by NB MAP, recognizing the company as an organization that creates a superior environment for learning with mentor training, apprenticeship and on-the-job mentoring.