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Tag: women in trades

  • Women in Skilled Trades (French version available)

    Women in Skilled Trades (French version available)

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers undertrained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    There is a worsening shortage of tradespeople in Canada. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally, there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.

  • Not Your “Typical” Welder: Women In The Trades

    Not Your “Typical” Welder: Women In The Trades

    Let’s be honest – how many of us girls grew up dreaming of being a mechanic or a welder? The answer is probably not many, and if you did you probably didn’t tell anybody because of the possibility of them thinking you were weird. When I was little I first wanted to be a marine biologist; I loved animals and wanted to work with them very badly. Then my life goal changed from a stunt car driver to a photographer to a mechanic and finally a welder.

    One of the things I was most excited about going to high school for was that I was now able to take the auto mechanics and construction classes. I took them all through high school and loved every minute of it. I learned, fixed and made things that a lot of people didn’t. How many of you can honestly say you are comfortable with changing a flat tire on your own? I can say with all honesty I am and that’s because of my awesome auto teacher. My technology teachers not only gave me the skills and knowledge about their trades but also the courage to love the trades; to not be scared of trying something totally out of my comfort zone and to not care about what people think.

    I got the smart remarks in class – “Girls can’t do that” and the classic, “Don’t break a nail!” Taking those courses gave me the courage to pick something not many girls pick for a college program – Welding Technician. I knew two things that I wanted for sure out of what I picked for a program. I wanted to be able to get a job and I wanted to make money. I know those are not the best reasons for someone to pick a program, but they were honest. I had originally wanted to be a mechanic because of how much I loved my auto class but I soon realized there were a lot of mechanics and not a lot of jobs. So I had cut up an exhaust pipe about two times in auto with an old oxy-acetylene torch and I knew welding was an in demand job, so I decided on being a welder. The only knowledge I had on welding was what I learned from those two experiences using the torch, so not a whole lot.

    I remember showing up for my first welding class and them telling me that I would need safety boots, safety glasses and a welding helmet for tomorrow. The first thing I thought to myself is, “What have I done?! I have gotten myself into something I can’t handle, I know nothing about welding! This is a horrible idea.” Then it got worse after I got all my equipment and they asked me to actually weld something. I don’t think I have ever sweated that much for a school assignment and it wasn’t from the heat of my torch. But with practice, some really great teachers and perseverance, I got the hang of it and now I am actually a very good welder. I am able to weld in shielded metal, arc welding in flat, horizontal and vertical positions. I can use gas metal arc and flux core arc welding machines and I am learning tungsten arc welding at the moment.

    For those of you out there wondering what kind of woman I am, I would say I am not your typical looking welder, but then again isn’t that what we are trying to change? The notion of what the “typical” welder looks like? So this is what the typical welder looks like – a petite 19-year-old woman, who stands at five feet and two inches, has a boyfriend and loves to go shopping just as much as anyone. The moral of the story is look at trades when you are deciding on college programs – any trade! Believe me, it’s a rewarding experience that is challenging.

    If I can do it, you can do it.

  • Women in the Trades, Statistics and Perceptions

    Women in the Trades, Statistics and Perceptions

    When you picture a construction worker, plumber, electrician or pipefitter, what image comes to mind? Most people imagine a burly, middle-aged man, wearing overalls, covered in dirt or grease. Trades jobs have been predominantly dominated by men throughout history. Across Canada women are still under-represented in the industry.

    The Status of Women in Canada factsheet (http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/initiatives/wesp-sepf/fs-fi/es-se-eng.html) stated, “In 2014 women represented 47.3 % of the labour force. Women aged 15 years and over were most likely to be employed in sales and service occupations (27.1%).” It also states, “Women continue to have low representation in the skilled trades and other traditionally male dominated professions. For example in 2012, women held just 11.8% of the construction jobs, 19% of forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas jobs, and 30.5% of agriculture jobs. In 2011 women accounted for only 2% of carpentry apprentices, 1.9% of plumbing apprentices and 1.5% of heavy equipment apprentices.”

    So why are there so few women working in the trades? An article on the website TalentEgg.com (http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2012/03/12/women-working-skilled-trades/) suggests “even in this day and age, women can be discriminated against in the skilled trades workforce. Women are usually in the top 10-15% in their class, but they are almost always among the last 10% to get hired.”

    The Government of Canada Skilled Trades website points out another reason there are fewer people in general working in the industry. It says there is a “negative perception towards skilled trades among youth and their influences, with many believing that these jobs are low paying, involve physical work, are dirty, and are less academically challenging.”

    Though this may be a common perception, it isn’t entirely true. The work may be more physical than an office job, but it can also be rewarding. Imagine being able to drive by a building, knowing you helped construct it. Stats Canada stated on average trades employees make $22.36/hour. Canadianbusiness.com stated in 2014, Electrician and Telecommunications Contractor held the number 10 spot on the Top 10 Best Jobs in Canada, with a median salary of $72,800/ year.

    Many skilled trades’ workers are hard-working individuals. Although a lot of people feel the trades are for students who are less academically inclined; this is also another myth. Trades workers need to have a good academic foundation with knowledge in math, literacy, problem solving and analytical skills. Depending on the type of trade you pursue you could be deciphering complex blueprints on a construction site, operating technical equipment, or installing intricate plumbing systems at an industrial site.

    There are a number of apprenticeship programs geared toward women. You can search online to see what’s available in your area. In Ontario there is a website with information on Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology: http://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/GrantOpportunities/OSAPQA005168.

    Careersintrades.ca (http://www.careersintrades.ca/) has information on how to get started.

    If you think you might be interested in pursuing a career in a skilled trade, it’s always a good idea to talk to someone who currently works in the field. They will be able to explain the ins and outs of the job, tell you what is involved, and what it is really like to work on a job site. They can also give you an idea of job availability and pay. You could also do a work study or internship, which will provide you with the hands on training and experience. This will be a great way to see if you like the job and the work environment, and to decide if the trades are the right field for you.

     

  • Why Should Girls Get Involved with STEM?

    Why Should Girls Get Involved with STEM?

    In our society, girls seem to be underrepresented in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Even more interesting is that in contrast to girls, boys seem to be actively involved in all of these fields. So what’s the deal? Why are girls not participating in these fields as much as boys? These are questions that are stumping researchers and other experts.

    There is a stereotype that has been circulating around, that maybe girls just aren’t as good at these subjects as their male counterparts. However, research suggests that there isn’t any evidence to support this claim. We all know girls are just as capable and smart as boys. Researchers have found that, when tested, girls are equally as successful in any of these subjects as boys. However, as long as this negative stereotype continues to persist it can cause real harm. It can actually cause girls to believe that they aren’t good at these subjects before even trying them. There is a natural bias for people to assume that science and math are fields best suited to males and that the arts are better suited to females. Why not disprove this theory?

    People also believe that maybe girls aren’t involved in STEM because there aren’t enough female role models in these fields to look up to. Seeing women who are thriving and successful in these fields could make them more enticing to younger females. People like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have made their fortunes in fields related to STEM. However, there still seems to be lacking female equivalents. It would be great to see females who have invented or developed ideas related to STEM in our society. The women that are contributing and involved in STEM should be given more visibility in order to promote these fields.

    There are many reasons why girls should get involved in STEM. Firstly, positions related to these fields are abundant. Why not make contributions to them and stand out from others? Scientists are trying to solve some of the most difficult questions in our time. Engineers are designing different things that we can use to better our lives and make things easier. With the internet and other forms of communication becoming more popular, there are a wide variety of job opportunities relating to technology.  People in these professions are doing creative and innovative things. In addition to this, these positions provide a person with a really great income (who doesn’t like money?). Helping the world and making great money doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me!

  • Women in Skilled Trades

    Women in Skilled Trades

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers under trained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    According to a February 2013 publication titled Looking for a job? Why you should consider a trade in The Globe and Mail, there will be a shortage of one million tradespeople in Canada by 2020. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.

  • Not Your Typical Welder

    Not Your Typical Welder

    Let’s be honest- how many of us girls grew up dreaming of being a mechanic or a welder? The answer is probably not many, and if you did you probably didn’t tell anybody because of the possibility of them thinking you were weird. When I was little I first wanted to be a marine biologist, I loved animals and wanted to work with them very badly. Then my life goal changed from a stunt car driver, to a photographer, to a mechanic and finally a welder.

    One of the things I was most excited about going to high school was that I was now able to take the auto mechanics and construction classes. I took them all through high school and loved every minute of it. I learned, fixed and made things that a lot of people didn’t, how many of you can honestly say you are comfortable with changing a flat tire on your own? I can say with all honesty I am and that’s because of my awesome auto teacher. My technology teachers not only gave me the skills and knowledge about their trades but also the courage to love the trades. To not be scared of trying something totally out of my comfort zone and to not care about what people think.

    I got the smart remarks in class “Girls can’t do that” and the classic “Don’t break a nail!” Taking those courses gave me the courage to pick something not many girls pick for a college program, Welding Technician. I knew two things that I wanted for sure out of what I picked for a program, I wanted to be able to get a job and I wanted to make money. I know those are not the best driving reasons for someone to pick a program, but they were honest. I had originally wanted to be a mechanic because of how much I loved my auto class but I soon realized there were a lot of mechanics and not a lot of jobs. So I had cut up an exhaust pipe about two times in auto with an old oxy-acetylene torch and I knew welding was an in demand job, so I decided on being a welder. The only knowledge I had on welding was what I learned from those two experiences using the torch, so not a whole lot.

    I remember showing up for my first welding class and them telling me that I would need safety boots, safety glasses and a welding helmet for tomorrow. The first thing I thought to myself is, “What have I done?! I have gotten myself into something I can’t handle, I know nothing about welding this is a horrible idea”. Then it got worse after I got all my equipment and they asked me to actually weld something, I don’t think I have ever sweated that much for a school assignment and it wasn’t from the heat of my torch. But with practice, some really great teachers and perseverance I got the hang of it and now I am actually a good welder. I am able to weld in shielded metal arc welding in flat, horizontal and vertical positions. I can use gas metal arc and flux core arc welding machines and I am learning tungsten arc welding at the moment.

    For those of you out there wondering what kind of woman I am, I would say I am not your typical looking welder, but then again isn’t that what we are trying to change? The notion of what the “typical” welder looks like? So this is what the typical welder looks like, a petite 19 year old woman, who stands at five feet and 2 inches, has a boyfriend and loves to go shopping just as much as anyone. The moral of the story is look at trades when you are deciding on college programs, any trade, believe me it’s a rewarding experience, that is challenging.

    If I can do it, you can do it.

  • Women in Skilled Trades – The Time is Now

    Women in Skilled Trades – The Time is Now

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers under trained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    According to a February 2013 publication titled Looking for a job? Why you should consider a trade in The Globe and Mail, there will be a shortage of one million tradespeople in Canada by 2020. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.