Nov 24 2015

Guelph, ON – On Monday, November 23^rd, 137 female students in grades 9-12 from Upper Grand District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board explored a future career in the skilled trades in Guelph. These young women had the opportunity to meet local mentors and learn more about their career paths.

With support from Linamar and OYAP, local mentors from across the skilled trades and technologies industries participated at this event. Also as part of the day, these mentors participateed in the Mentor Build workshop, to develop mentoring skills. The event had 19 mentors registered, including welding students from Conestoga College, a baker, a carpenter and a power engineer, to name a few.

This event, and other Career Exploration Events, seek to demonstrate that skilled trades and technologies are accessible, interesting and fun for young women. When young women are encouraged to explore all their career choices and pursue their passions, our future workforce and province succeeds.

Quote:

“Today, women are still underrepresented in the skilled trades and technologies but these are excellent careers for women to support themselves,” says Nicola Macdonald, Young Women’s Initiatives Coordinator at Skills Ontario. “Young women need to know that the trades and technologies offer many opportunities that can lead to bright, stable and successful futures.”

Quick Facts:

• Women comprise only 14% of apprentices in Canada.
• Mentorship is the key to growing the number of young women in the skilled trades and technologies.
• Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives reached over 2,000 participants in 2014-15.