Hundreds of high school students got their hands dirty at Confederation College’s Tec Hub for a Jill of all trades event in Thunder Bay, Ontario. this Wednesday.

They were there for a one-day event encouraging more women to enter the skilled trades by providing them with hands-on experience. This is part of a larger national initiative to empower young women.

The students participated directly in three different workshops in different trade sectors. Mentoring sessions also took place, led by industry leaders and alumni, and they were able to explore potential careers at a career fair.

Molly Forneri, a Grade 12 student at Westgate Secondary School, attended the event because she is interested in the careers of the future. She said she “really likes welding and really wanted to try it.”

“I actually came here before last year and it really, really helped me, just like being involved. It really motivated me to get into this type of business because I was really nervous before , but I’m getting better and better,” Forneri said.

Forneri said she really hopes that more girls, especially younger ones, will actually get into the trades and get into welding, construction and all that kind of stuff.

“I find what’s difficult is being in a really male-dominated class. It could be very intimidating. When I first started in this class, I was really intimidated, but I learned , I became friends with all of them, and it’s become really easy now,” Forneri said.

Pathways to careers

John Kantola, dean of the School of Engineering, Technology Trades and Apprenticeship at Confederation College, said the range of activities and sessions would show young women the potential of a career in the trades.

“I would say take a serious look at the trades, there are a lot of opportunities, successful opportunities, money to be made and jobs are available,” Kantola said. “I think the job market now accepts women the same way it did in the past, that might have been kind of a difference when it comes to all the male-dominated fields and such. So stay focused on something if you have an interest, pursue it.”

Kantola said the college hopes to provide exposure to the trades and spark interest among students, so they can later enroll as an apprentice in one of the trades or complete one of Confederation College’s programs.

Jessy Kantola spoke at the event and is an architectural technician after graduating from Confederation College. She says she would have been interested in an event like this in high school.

“I figured this wasn’t a program available to me when I was in high school decades ago. However, if it had been, that’s the direction I would have gone,” Kantola said.

“But I think this program is absolutely necessary. And if anything, the carpentry program really gives women the opportunity to learn basic skills with tools, power tools, safety, to really give them an edge in life by being able to do things on their own and safely.

Kantola added that the event gives women the opportunity to choose what they want to do in the industry, which may be a different path than earning a typical college degree, thanks to certain life experiences which could open up “a completely different area of ​​employment that they might have.” never considered.

“I would say don’t be afraid to apply. There are plenty of opportunities and being in the industry, a lot of employers are looking for younger women. We tend to be more motivated, more focused and end up being very good employees. And they’re starting to appreciate and see that in women in the trades,” Kantola said.

Explore diverse opportunities in male-dominated fields

Katelyn McCreary, Activities and Events Coordinator at Conestoga College, assisted with the logistics of the event. She said professions are also suffering a lot at the moment, not only in North America, but all over the world.

“These events are very important, especially for women,” McCreary said. “These are not traditional professions that women would be exposed to, so we hope to alleviate that kind of stigma around women in trades in the workplace and hope that they can see that they can get their hands dirty, that it’s fun and they’re also designed for the workplace.

McCreary added that the one-day event offered girls the chance to come to the college and participate in three different workshops, preferably in three different trade sectors, to give them a wide variety of options that they might not have experienced it at their high school.

She said events are planned through next fall and are held every year.

“We hope these events continue until we no longer need them,” McCreary said.