Contractor and TV Personality Sherry Holmes (Holmes Makes It Right, Holmes: Next Generation) joins forces with The Foundation for Education, Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), Huron Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) to inspire young women (grades 9 to 12) in Huron and Perth counties to consider a career in the skilled trades.

Now in its 5th year, The Real Deal on Skilled Trades event (formerly Young Women In Skilled Trades) will take place in Stratford on May 24, 2018 at the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans Hall.
Students will hear from a panel of young tradeswomen and their parents and have the opportunity to ask about each woman’s career journey and experiences, find out what they need to begin doing now to pursue their future career goals and be motivated to blaze their own trail as a female in a non-traditional skilled trade.

They will also have the opportunity to be inspired by keynote speaker Sherry Holmes.

Sherry grew up watching and working with her dad, Celebrity TV Host & Professional Contractor, Mike Holmes. As early as 16-years-old, she began working behind-the-scenes of Mike’s breakout series, Holmes on Homes®. In 2008, after a crew member fell ill, Sherry decided to strap on her own tool belt and travelled to New Orleans to help build a hurricane- and flood-resistant home for a victim of Hurricane Katrina, in Holmes in New Orleans.

Since then she has been a permanent member of Mike’s Crew, first on Holmes Inspection and then on Holmes Makes It Right, and more recently Holmes: Next Generation, airing on DIY in 2018, where she teams up with her brother, Mike Jr.

On and off the jobsite, Sherry continues to change the face of Canada’s skilled trades workforce, demonstrating that women can bring an entirely new dimension to the construction industry that makes it fundamentally stronger from the ground up. Like her proud father, everything she teaches and believes in is based on quality, integrity and trust.

“I’m honoured to be this year’s keynote speaker,” said Sherry Holmes. “I look forward to sharing my experiences with young women considering a career in construction, and hope to inspire them to join me in breaking down barriers for women in the trades.”

“We are very excited to have Sherry Holmes join us this year,“ states Mark Roth, AMDSB Pathways Coordinator. “Together with our panel, ironworker Jamie McMillan, Skills Ontario, colleges, career agencies and local partners – a valuable experience is being provided to the young women of Huron and Perth counties.”

And, this year, the ‘valuable experience’ will carry an even greater sense of value.

“This month marks the 100th anniversary of Canadian women having the right to vote”, states Tim Martens, HPCDSB OYAP Project Leader. “We are very pleased to announce that many of the students in attendance will also be joining a special rally in Stratford that celebrates Canadian women who worked hard to gain the rights that young women now enjoy.”

Led by Dr. Jean Hewitt, the rally will be held from 2-3pm in the Stratford Market Square.

To register for The Real Deal on Skilled Trades event, students must contact their high school Guidance/Cooperative Education Departments. Seats are limited.

The Real Deal on Skilled Trades is hosted by the Foundation for Education, Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board with support from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, Stratford & Area Builders’ Association, Huron Manufacturing Association, Skills Ontario and the Technical Training Group.

See event poster.

Twitter: @sherryl_holmes

Instagram: @sherryholmes

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sherryholmes

McGregor & Friends and The Foundation for Education (in partnership with 14/19 Campaign and Blyth Festival) presents ‘A Bunch of Munsch’ adapted for the stage from the stories of Robert Munsch by Duncan McGregor.

From April 9-18, 2018 this new stage adaptation of 5 of Robert Munsch’s stories will be presented at the Blyth Memorial Hall for school matinee audiences. The producer/director is Duncan McGregor who has presented young audience productions at Blyth before including ‘Charlotte’s Web’ (2015), ‘Peter And The Wolf” (2014) and ‘Let’s Do Munsch’ (2016). Those performances were attended by over 20,000 school children and their teachers. This year it’s ‘A Bunch of Munsch’.

Over a dozen actors (including young people from local schools plus adult performers all supported by professional designers and director) will present these well-loved stories.

This production is being done in support of student enrichment through the Foundation for Education Huron Perth. The show consists of ‘Angela’s Airplane’, Stephanie’s Ponytail’, ‘Something Good’, ‘Love You Forever’ and ‘Mortimer’.

Please see the poster.

“The stage adaptations remain true to Robert’s stories and to them we’ve added the lively music and sound effects of composer Arlene Darnbrough performed by musician Suzanne MacVicar, the costumes of Sherri Milburn, and the lighting of Ross Barnett, all experienced theatre professionals”, states director Duncan McGregor. “We want to tickle your funny bone, share these adventures and touch your heart as only a Munsch story can.”

The show is ideal for kids aged 4 to 11 and tickets are $8.

Reservations can be made by calling the Blyth Festival Box Office at 1-877-862-5984.

Permission to adapt and perform ‘A Bunch of Munsch’ has been granted by Robert Munsch through Annick Press and Firefly Books.

This year we raised $30,000!

The 23rd Gala Auction included a great meal, warm company and live and silent auction items like getaways, artwork, gift packages & sports tickets – all to make certain that 200+ crucial workshops continue to enhance over 6000 students in the Avon Maitland district throughout the year.