NC event series kicks off to inspire young women, girls, and gender diverse people to consider in-demand careers in the traditionally male-dominated skilled trades.
On Dec. 13, 120 high school students from across Niagara converged on Niagara College’s Welland Campus to kick-off the Trades has no Gender event series – a partnership with the Niagara Catholic School Board and District School Board of Niagara (DSBN).
The event, formerly Young Women in Trades, marked the return to fulsome programming after years of virtual and alternate delivery. Students from grades nine through 12 gathered on campus for the first in a series of events designed to introduce attendees to the skilled trades and STEM pathways.
Kay Allen, St. Catharines Program Facilitator for Skills Ontario gave students broad insights into the world of trades and the demand for skilled tradespeople and diversity in the industry.
Associate Dean of the School of Trades Jeff Murrell, and Photonics professor Cristina Simionescu invited students to tour the trades and photonics labs where they met faculty and current students . Faculty including Lisa Caruso from General Machining and Wayne Toth in Automotive also brought students into their labs for demos, and other faculty spoke to their programs, including Annette Dearling-Manchester and Marco Giorgi from Carpentry and Brendan Ryan from Welding.
Sarah Singleton, Student Engagement and Leadership Program Coordinator, spoke about LEAD and on-campus supports, and introduced a group of inspiring women at NC to help convey the importance of soft skills and embracing self-worth in these traditionally male-dominated fields. The rockstar NC team included Michele O’Keefe, Director, Athletics and Student Engagement, Sarah Singleton, Student Engagement and Leadership Program Coordinator, Nimisha Sumathi, Student Engagement and Leadership Program Coordinator, and Sam Jemison, NCSAC President and graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program.
This Trades has no Gender event opens up a series of sessions for high school students this winter term covering the fields of carpentry, electrician, technology and industrial automation, motive power, and welding on three separate dates. Groups of 25 students each will have the chance to participate in lab activities this winter to not only learn about but experience a variety of programs in the trades.
Participants were treated to NC swag and a copy of Women’s Work courtesy of the DSBN. The book is a collection of inspiring women in their careers who are pioneering in their fields.
The event was the result of a cross-College effort led by NC’s Student Recruitment team.
Today NC hosted 120 high school students for the "Trades has no Gender" event where key members from our School of Trades spoke about the opportunities that await within the industries. Thanks to all speakers, participants, and attendees! pic.twitter.com/R1nIexwihk
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) December 13, 2022
