On Wednesday, April 28, The YWCA and Niagara College met virtually with The Hon.Maryam Monsef, MP for Peterborough-Kawartha and minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, and Chris Bittle, MP for St. Catharines to discuss the YWCA Hamilton’s general machinist pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with NC.
“The trades is a noble profession and it is the fastest way to lift women out of poverty,” said Monsef
School of Trades professor, Lisa Caruso led the call through a virtual tour of Niagara College’s machine shop where she highlighted the tools and machinery used in the pre-apprenticeship program.
At the conclusion of the tour Fiona Allan, the college’s vice-president, Academic and NC students Alex Hayward, Charity Peterson, and Danielle Labrie joined Lisa to answer questions related to the program and the benefit to women entering the trades.
The YWCA general machinist pre-apprenticeship program is designed for women looking to start a career in trades and teaches them the set up and operation of a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal, plastic or other materials, to make or modify parts and products with precise dimensions. This program allows students to obtain career experience through theoretical and practical lab experiences followed by an eight-week work placement with an employer.
“Niagara College is a leader, not only in Niagara but far beyond and whenever there is an opportunity to help the community, Niagara College is there doing incredible work and this program speaks to that,” said Bittle.
To watch a video of the tour, please visit.
