Eighty secondary school students explored new possibilities in the skilled trades during a full day of immersive, hands-on learning at Niagara College’s Welland Campus on April 28.
NC’s Lisa Caruso instructs a group of students from Lakeshore Catholic High School on precision metal cutting.
Representing both the Niagara Catholic District School Board and the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), the Grade 11 and 12 students took part in NC’s fourth annual Young Women in Trades event which is designed to introduce young women to the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades sector.
Hosted by NC’s School of Trades and Recruitment team, the event aimed to broaden career horizons, challenge long-standing gender stereotypes, and help students build confidence through practical experience. By engaging directly with tools, equipment, and industry-standard techniques, participants gained a deeper understanding of the pathways leading to stable, rewarding careers in the trades.
“We are proud to welcome these exceptional young women to NC to share the possibilities available to them in the skilled trades,” said Duane Bender, Dean, Media, Trades and Technology at Niagara College. “It’s critical that we create opportunities like this early on, so students can see themselves in these careers, build confidence with hands-on experience, and understand that the trades offer rewarding, in-demand career paths.”
Throughout the day, students suited up in protective gear and rotated through four interactive workshops led by faculty in the School of Trades.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity for students who are curious about the skilled trades,” said Kelly Parlatore, Student Achievement Leader with the District School Board of Niagara. “Experiences like this allow students to engage directly with tools, technologies and industry professionals, helping them build confidence while gaining a clearer understanding of what careers in the trades can look like.”
A student tries her hand at the lighting board activity in the automotive lab.
Sessions included transportation, electrical, machining and construction with Professors and Program Coordinators Pete D’Elia (Motive Power), Joe Felice (Electrical Techniques) Lisa Caruso (Mechanical Techniques) and Alex Lukacs (Carpentry and Renovation).
In the transportation session, students toured the automotive lab and tested their skills in a tire challenge and lighting board activity. In the Electrical Techniques lab, participants worked with custom-built control station trainer boards, learning to identify malfunctioning smoke detectors. The machining workshop introduced students to CNC machining centres, where they observed precision manufacturing processes, while the construction session focused on foundational skills essential for this in-demand field.
“The Young Women in Trades event is another outstanding partnership between our school board and Niagara College and it’s one we know our students look forward to every year,” said Camillo Cipriano, Niagara Catholic Director of Education. “This female-focused environment allows young women in our schools interested in working in the trades to learn more about the opportunities available to them as career pathways in a supportive space.”
Cipriano added that continued collaboration between secondary and post-secondary partners is key to student success.
“We are grateful that Niagara College continues to nurture our relationship by providing our secondary students with a hands-on understanding of post-secondary opportunities in the skilled trades, technology, and other programs,” he said.
By connecting students with faculty and showcasing real-world applications of skilled trades, the event underscores the importance of fostering inclusion and empowering the next generation of skilled workers.
