Waterloo, ON—Getting youth involved in the skilled trades has been a significant talking point for some time in the industry. Likewise, ensuring women have proper representation and opportunities in the skilled trades has also been an important talking point. As a result, Skills Ontario is hosting a Young Women’s Initiative, a collection of engaging and hands-on events and programs that provide skill development and mentorship opportunities to young women in Grades 7 to 12. The events will run from Oct. 4 to Oct. 11.
Since 2012, Oct. 11 was established by the United Nations as the International Day of the Girl and is recognized as a day to acknowledge girls and their rights, education, and opportunities. To celebrate, Skills Ontario is offering a three-part series of free online events.
The first part will be an International Day of the Girl Challenges, which will run from Oct. 4 to 8. Skills Ontario is challenging girls to try out activities relating to the five skilled trade and technology sector—motive power, industrial, service, construction, and technology.
The second part will involve workshops. On Oct. 11, participants will have the opportunity to learn and work through skills using Google Slides or PowerPoint to create short videos.
Lastly, part three of the series will be a sort of celebration where girls in elementary and senior elementary will be able to discuss their perspectives on how they perceive the skilled trades and technologies. This virtual conference will run on Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. They will also be able to share what they want to be when they grow up and why, what their favourite tools are, what they think certain trades actually do, and what interests them.