An upcoming Women In Skilled Trades Day will offer students a chance to interact and learn from female mentors working in skilled trades.
St. Michael Catholic Secondary School hosts their Grade 8-12 students on May 28.
Karen Hastings, transitions/guidance teacher for the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, told StratfordToday a similar event was held pre-pandemic but this is the first of its kind to offer this much interactivity – with 17 female mentors in 10 trades and three emergency services: police, firefighters and paramedics.
“This is really just to spark that interest and inspire girls to become involved in the trades,” she said.
Students can bring a parent/guardian or friend. They can choose three out of four rotations.
One rotation is construction, featuring a carpenter, electrician and plumber. The manufacturing rotation includes welders, HVAC and sheet workers. The automotive section includes auto technicians and an agricultural technician, who will be there with farm equipment.
Students can also choose to learn from firefighters, police officers and paramedics.
Students spend 20 minutes at each rotation. Mentors will spend lunch break with the students, encouraging questions and further interaction.
Hastings said the school board works to promote skilled trades. The event targets young women in particular, however, in keeping with one of the Ministry of Education strategic priorities, other interested students are welcome
“When I speak to students, I always say once you find your passion, your pathway will be so much clearer for you. And keep yourself open to try new things. Because sometimes we don’t know what we love until we try it.”
“They won’t often get a chance to work one-on-one with a female mentor that can answer questions and let them know if there are roadblocks to get into trades. We are really hopeful it sparks interest for the girls and they continue on that pathway.”
