On Thursday, March 6, 30 grade six and seven female students from Fort Langley Elementary school took part in a pilot event titled “Pizza, Pop and Powertools” to gain hands-on experience with the tools and trades.
Students participated in hands-on activities with Makita tools, Tomboy Tools, and Langley Secondary School’s trades department. There were skills competitions by Skills BC and Worksafe BC talked about safety and provided safety demonstrations.
“We have completed a number of successful events around the province but this time it was a female focus and the girls did great on the tools,” says Michelle Skelly.
At the grade 6/7 level, the event is geared towards awareness and fun and fun was certainly had by all. The girls were very engaged the entire time and the Makita tools reps commented that they were great on the tools and they were very impressed.
Most of the students had limited trades knowledge prior to the event, yet after the event they commented that their interest in the trades had increased significantly.
“We believe this event could have an impact on their career decision making down the road. It demystified the trades for them and gave them confidence that this is something they could actually do and enjoy,” said Michelle Skelly.
With a looming skills shortage in many of the resource sector industries in B.C., the trades are a viable career option for females, as well as for males. The apprenticeship model allows them to earn and learn at the same time, gain "red seal" national credentials, earn higher than average salaries, enjoy varied and challenging careers and a great lifestyle.
Resource Training Organization, located in Langley, was established in 2007 to oversee the management and development of apprenticeship training for the resource sector in B.C. RTO represents a cross-sectorial group of employees in the mining and smelting, oil and gas, pulp and paper, solid wood, shipbuilding and repair and utilities sectors.
Check out www.tradesrock.com for information about career opportunities in the resource sector trades.
Check out www.tradeswomen.ca for information and resources for tradeswomen in the resource trades or women considering the resource trades.