St. Clair College event encourages young women to consider careers in skilled trades

Source: St. Clair College

About 100 high school students from across the region are expected to take part in St. Clair College’s second annual Jill of All Trades event Wednesday, aimed at introducing young women to opportunities in the skilled trades.

Female students in Grades 9 through 12 will take part in a full day of hands-on workshops focused on welding, electrical, powerline and sheet metal work at the college’s main campus in Windsor.

Organizers say the event is designed to create a safe and engaging environment where students can learn directly from female mentors, faculty and students working in non-traditional roles.

“Jill of All Trades is an excellent opportunity for young women to participate in hands-on activities and engage practically with different trades,” said Lido Zuccato, chair of the School of Skilled Trades at St. Clair College. “Taking the first step can often be the hardest, but the chance to physically create something is a vital first step towards building the confidence needed to explore a career in the trades.”

Participants will also hear from keynote speaker Erin Gouin, a millwright at Stellantis, and be treated to breakfast, lunch and a candy bar.

The college says with Canada needing at least 75,000 new tradespeople over the next five years due to retirements alone, events like this are crucial to addressing the skilled trades shortage — especially with women representing only five per cent of the current workforce.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the college’s main campus on Talbot Road West.