CREDIT: JOHN SING, PHOTOGRAPHER FOR FANSHAWE'S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
A number of young women from grades 9 to 12 and their mothers, took part in a Skills Ontario Women Career Exploration, aimed at showcasing the trades and technology programs as possible career paths for women.

On Nov. 29, Fanshawe College had the privilege to host an event that opened the eyes of young women to the world of skilled trades and technologies.

The event was hosted by Skills Ontario through their career exploration for women initiative and KickAss Careers, along with a number of other partners.

The event invited young women ranging from grade 9 through 12 and their mothers to learn more about the trades and technology industries.

It included a hands on demonstration and workshop, team building and networking activities and mentorship speech, aimed at increasing the awareness of the trades and technology industries amongst young women as females have a small presence in these industries even though these industries can provide women a lot of benefits.

Vertha Coligan, Dean of Faculty of Technology, spoke to the group of women who came to learn more about working in the trades and technology industries. PHOTO CREDIT: John Sing, photographer for Fanshawe's Corporate Communications

Surprisingly, a 2013 study found that women only represented less than 15 per cent of people registered in apprenticeship programs. Furthermore, less than three per cent of all those participating in apprenticeship programs in construction, automotive, and industry trades were women in 2012, according to a Skills Ontario press release.

The idea is that by increasing the awareness surrounding these industries, Skills Canada and KickAss Careers hope their audience will consider a career in one of these fields in the future.

They have seen a lot of success in that respect; in fact, over 90 per cent of female students say they are more likely to investigate a career in the skilled trades and technologies after attending the events, according to the press release.

It was plain to see why; the event was informative and inspirational, and the mentors students were able to interact with were knowledgeable and insightful about the industries.

Jamie McMillan, special guest speaker for the event and industry leader of her own, spoke to a group of young women about the skilled trades and technology industries and how women can have a role within these the field. PHOTO CREDIT: John Sing, photographer for Fanshawe's Corporate Communications

The event even included a section in which you were allowed to use construction tools such as drills and hammers to build a napkin holder in a controlled environment.

Furthermore, on behalf of KickAss Careers, the event saw an excellent speech delivered by ironworker Jamie McMillan.

She informed students what industry she started in, how she ended up working in the steel industry and why she finds technology and trade industries to be rewarding for young women.

When asked what message she would like to deliver to anyone who couldn’t attend the event, she said “I want to encourage young women that getting into skilled trades and technology careers are lucrative careers, and they don’t just end at the idea of being on the tools,” McMillan said. “Some people think that they don’t want to be in construction their whole life because, you know, ‘I’m going to get on the tools and that’s all I’m ever going to get to do’, but honestly, the tools are just a foot in the door to so many lucrative careers within the construction industry sectors.”

She also added, “I encourage students to take an apprenticeship to get free, earn-while-you-learn training, which is awesome. It offers independence and the ability to travel and it’s transferrable skills you can take worldwide.”

Students had enjoyed the event very much and found it to be very helpful.

Melanie, grade 11 student and attendee, shared her thoughts on the event and informed the Interrobang it influenced her to go into the trader or technology industry.

“I would definitely be more compelled to go into the trades industry. I’ve always thought about going into architecture just because I have a love of math and art, but the hands on component of it all, it’s just something that I’ve always been interested in and this [event] has highlighted it,” she said.

PHOTO CREDIT: John Sing, photographer for Fanshawe's Corporate Communications