Power to Choose. Power to Create. Power to Achieve � these are the central themes of a new promotional campaign launched today by the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, called Jump Start Your Life. The campaign is designed to encourage young females to sign-up for the new Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program.

"This campaign shows young women that a career in the skilled trades is exciting and lucrative, while at the same time, demands creativity and skill," said Minister Burke. "Our new high school program reflects this reality, with dynamic, interesting courses, and equipment identical to that used on construction sites. It gives students a hands-on introduction to the world of skilled trades."

Minister Burke launched the campaign at Holy Heart High School and was joined by students from Brother Rice Junior High. While there, the minister and the junior high students conducted a tour of the new skilled trades suite. Similar rooms exist at 37 schools in the province that are part of an $11 million, three-year pilot. Eight new courses will be introduced province-wide by 2010. These courses are supported with state-of the-art industrial equipment such as computer-controlled routers and lathes, sliding compound mitre saws and a wide variety of power tools.

This September, 23 per cent of students registered for high school skilled trades courses were female. Minister Burke wants to see this number reach the 50 per cent mark. "Students and parents need to recognize the incredible potential in this field at this point in our province�s development," said Minister Burke. "From Hebron oil to Lower Churchill power, and from Voisey�s Bay nickel to western Labrador iron ore, the need for qualified skilled trades workers will only grow. Thousands of workers will be needed to make these projects truly our own. Women can make their mark on these projects and others by pursuing training in any one of 200 skilled trades career options."

Minister Burke, who is also responsible for the Status of Women, noted that working to create opportunities for women in this area is also a move to improve the overall status of women in our province. "Initiatives such as this support the work of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Skills Task Force and we will continue with strategic approaches to address skills shortages and advance women�s equality," said the minister.

To learn more about this initiative, or to view and download the great promotional materials launched today, visit www.jumpstartNL.ca.

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Photo #1: Minister Burke presents the Power To Achieve poster, part of the Jump Start Your Life campaign, to Sharon Brennan, vice-principal of Holy Heart High School.

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2007 11 22                                                12:10 p.m.