Girls Explore Trades and Technology at TRU

Related Photos

Story provided by Sheila Brown, District Trades and Transitions Coordinator

Throughout November, the District Career Development Department has been celebrating National Career Development Month with various career exploration and transition events. This week, trades-based career opportunities for women were promoted at Girls Exploring Trades and Technology.

One strategy of the Career Development priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan is to support diverse and under-represented learners to participate in career exploration, including promoting female involvement and gender equity in trades industries. The national participation of women in trades is approximately 4%. Girls Exploring Trades and Technology is an event that supports equity in the trades while encouraging students to have a fun career exploration and mentorship.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024 48 female students in Grades 6-9 from schools across the District got hands-on experience in a variety of trades at the School of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Four different trades explorations activities were offered, including welding, plumbing, electrical, and heavy duty mechanics.

Six senior student mentors (Grades 10-12) joined the event to share their experiences as females who have taken the Trades Sampler program at NorKam Secondary School and/or the Youth Train in Trades program.

Senior Mentor Kileigh Foisy, a Grade 12 Clearwater Secondary student who will attend the TRU Electrical Foundation program next semester, shared, “I am mentoring today because I would like to help other young girls find a trade they might love and do it as their future career.”

Joining the District students were three female industry leaders: Casey Cameron from Acres Enterprises, Saylor Mayer from the TRU Millwright program, and Laura Connell from New Gold Inc. These three leaders shared their career journeys and personal experiences on what it's like to be a female in the trades in an interactive panel led by student questions.

Saylor Mayor, who is currently studying at TRU, shared, “I believe that it is important to be able to discuss and show the younger generations of women in trades what is available to them for resources and in the trades world. I love sharing my experiences and journey through the programs [Trades Sampler and Youth Train in Trades] and giving insight to the future generations.”

During the panel, students asked the panelists about their biggest challenges. All three panelists shared how, as a female entering the trades, young women need to take steps and opportunities to gain confidence in the trade they enjoy, work to build positive work cultures, and be prepared and persevere when work is a struggle. Laura Connell also shared her story about how her biggest setback turned into her greatest career opportunity, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and adaptability for students starting their post-secondary and career journeys. 

Two Grade 8 students from Westsyde Secondary shared their thoughts on the fun and informative event. “I thought that the trades day was really well run and I would definitely come back next year. I really enjoyed plumbing and electrical,” shared Giovanna Mercuri. Jess Noordam added, “The trades day was so fun and I felt independent and like I knew how to do the activity! We got to solder a candle base which was so amazing and fun!”

By connecting with industry professionals and older students studying trades, these female students were able to learn about future career opportunities they may not have considered in a safe and supportive atmosphere.