The Foundation for Education, Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) and the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) are joining forces with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) to inspire young women in Huron and Perth counties to consider a career in the skilled trades.
The Young Women In Skilled Trades event, to be held at the Arden Park Hotel, Stratford, Ontario on May 27, 2015 in Stratford, ON, will foster a positive environment in which over 200 young women in grades 9 through 12 will have the opportunity to meet and network with tradeswomen from Huron and Perth counties.
To bring home the message that young women should consider a career in a non-traditional area, Ironworker and Tradeswoman Jamie McMillan, keynote speaker, will share her story of success in primarily a male dominated industry and reveal why more women should consider a career as a building tradesperson.
Jamie decided she wanted to help other women in the trades through support and mentorship and founded Journeyman – now an initiative of Canada’s Building Trades Unions. As Journeyman’s spokesperson, McMillan is working to spread the message that there are great careers out there for women in the trades—they just need to be educated about the opportunities and the challenges.
“We are receiving information that companies experiencing labour shortages are now thinking differently about who they can attract and retain”, states Tim Martens, HPCDSB OYAP Project Leader. “This change provides opportunities for women to consider a career in the skilled trades.”
Students attending will hear from a panel of young tradeswomen and have 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.
Present for the day will be partner colleges, career agencies and local partners along with a variety of women to act as ‘mentors’ for the students.
“We are extremely excited to have the support of our sponsor, the Four County Labour Market Planning Board“, adds Jeff Piro, AMDSB Pathways Coordinator. “Together with the support of our event partners – Stratford Area Builders Association, Huron Manufacturing Association, Technical Training Group and Skills Ontario – a valuable experience is being provided to the young women of Huron and Perth counties.”
To register, students must contact their high school Guidance/Cooperative Education Departments. Seats are limited.
Young Women In 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.
For further information please contact:
Steve Howe, Manager of Communications, AMDSB (519) 527-0111 x132 (519) 851-6349; showe@fc.amdsb.ca
Jeff Piro, Pathways Coordinator, Avon Maitland District School Board, (519) 527-0111 x136; jeffpiro@fc.amdsb.ca.
Tim Martens, OYAP Project Leader, Huron Perth Catholic District School Board, (519) 345-2440 x328; tim_martens@hpcdsb.edu.on.ca.