May 13, 2014
Promoting Skilled Trades in Local Communities
Program Highlights Skilled Trades Opportunities for Young Women
As part of a $60,000 Provincial Government investment to promote awareness of skilled trades opportunities among female students in junior and senior high school, Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador is holding two Skills Work for Women conferences this week at College of the North Atlantic campuses in Placentia today (Tuesday, May 13) and Bonavista, Friday, May 16.
“With the province’s growing demand for skilled workers, the Department of Education has expanded its Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology Program and made a particular effort to highlight opportunities for women in this sector of our economy. The feedback we have received from these conferences is overwhelmingly positive, and we encourage former participants who have entered the skilled trades and technologies workforce to share their stories with other young women.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education
Programs offered through Skills Work for Women invite students in junior and senior high school to explore the different career options available in skilled trades and technologies through hands-on demonstrations at post-secondary facilities. This week’s conferences involve students from Laval High School, Placentia; Roncalli Central High, Avondale; Holy Redeemer Elementary, Spaniard’s Bay; St. Mark’s School, King’s Cove; Bishop White School, Port Rexton; and, Heritage Collegiate, Lethbridge. A conference was held earlier this year at the Prince Philip Drive campus of College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s, and more are planned for the 2014-15 school year.
“Skills Work for Women conferences inspire girls to open their minds to career possibilities. It allows them to see skilled careers in a different light; to be and do whatever ignites their passion, regardless of gender, and to celebrate the successes of female role models paving the way. Our partnership with the Provincial Government allows us to meet the demand for these programs and enables us to increase our reach to share the impact of these powerful and tangible experiences."
- Carole Ann Ryan, Executive Director, Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador
Skills Work for Women participants take part in Try-A-Trade demonstrations in which they use the tools required in various trades and technology areas and test their abilities on a sample project. The second part of the program involves panel discussions with women currently working in skilled trades and technology fields.
For more information on Skills Work for Women, visit the Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador website at: www.skillscanada-nfld.com.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government invests $60,000 annually to promote opportunities for female students in the skilled trades through Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador’s Skills Work for Women programs.
- Programs offered through Skills Work for Women invite students in intermediate and senior high school to explore the different career options available in skilled trades and technologies through hands-on demonstrations at post-secondary facilities.
- Two conferences are taking place this week at College of the North Atlantic campuses in Placentia (Tuesday, May 13) and Bonavista (Friday, May 16).
- Since 2006 the Provincial Government has provided over $13 million for the Futures in Skilled Trades Program.
- To learn more about the Skills Work for Women, visit www.skillscanada-nfld.com.
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Media contacts:
| Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Jessica Baldwin Communications and Partnerships Coordinator Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador 709-739-4172 jessicab@skillscanada.com |
2014 05 13 11:15 a.m.