An Interview with Aaron
For most of his life, Aaron Gruntke felt abandoned by a school system that didn’t understand how to work with his ADHD. He dropped out of high school and bounced between jobs until the arrival of a new baby inspired him to try again. With help from the Algonquin College Experienced Worker Centre, he’s now just a few months away from graduating with a business diploma.
What work were you doing before you came to the Experienced Worker Centre?
I’ve worked in all kinds of places: a racetrack, warehouses, landscaping, retail, you name it. After I finally got my high school diploma and chef training from Algonquin, I got a cooking job with Algonquin’s food services. That was going really well until COVID-19 hit and I got laid off.
What led you to the EWC?
When it became obvious that the shutdowns were going to last a long time, I decided to go back to school for business. The catch was that the business programs all had a math pre-requisite, and math has always been hard for me. I was really worried about that, but Ian Paul at the Experienced Worker Centre put me in touch with the College’s Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). They arranged for me to use a calculator on the math test, and somehow, I got through it!
What sort of support did you receive from the EWC?
Along with the accommodation for the math test, Ian also helped me find the right program of study, supported me applying for Second Career funding, and patiently answered every question I had, no matter how trivial. He was so supportive I started calling him my “psychologist”.
What are your plans for the future?
My dream is to open a Dutch food truck — my grandfather used to make these amazing croquettes, and I’d love to build and pass on that legacy. For the moment, though, Algonquin food services has reopened, and they’re holding my job for me until I graduate, which is amazing, and I can’t wait to go back.
How did working with the EWC set you up for success?
Without their help, I don’t think I’d be able to imagine doing more with my life than working in kitchens. I love my job, but I definitely want to own my own something someday. The business diploma is going to help with that, and I wouldn’t have been able to get into the program without Ian’s support.
