Despite the growing demand for labour in the skilled trades and information technology sectors, women continue to be under-represented in these occupations. In fact, statistics indicate that women in skilled trades and technologies careers represent less than 3% of the total Canadian workforce.
Careers in skilled trades and technologies can be very challenging and rewarding. You can earn respect and good pay. The best person for any job has nothing to do with gender – it’s attitude and willingness to learn. If you are capable, responsible, hard-working, intelligent, have ingenuity and an eye for detail, then you have the traits that every job site needs. And, by exploring skilled trades and technologies while you are still in high school, you are already on the road to developing the skills you need for success!
There are various opportunities for young women in the DSBN to explore skilled trades and technologies throughout the year. For more information on how to participate in any of these programs, explore the DSBN Co-op & OYAP and DSBN Tech websites, and speak to your Technology, Co-op and Guidance teachers.
- DSBN Technology and Experiential Learning Programs
Technology courses, Cooperative Education, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Specialist High Skills Major Programs and the DSBN Skills Challenges offer all students the opportunity to explore their options both inside the classroom and through experiential learning in workplace settings.
- DSBN's "Your Future Starts Now! - Empowering Young Women to Explore Skilled Trades and Technologies"
This annual fall conference brings together young women from all of our DSBN high schools with mentors from local industry and post-secondary education and training institutions for a day of inspiring keynotes and workshops. Young women have the opportunity to hear about the personal pathways, challenges and successes of various mentors and to ask questions about what it is like to work and train in sectors of interest. Female DSBN graduates who are currently training and working in the skilled trades and technologies return to inspire current students with their stories of success.
- Skills Canada-Ontario "Skills Work! For Women Networking Dinners
This annual dinner takes place in the fall and offers young women the opportunity to meet and network with tradeswomen and participate in hands-on activities.
- Robotics Teams
First and Vex Robotics programs promote teamwork, problem-solving and collaboration and assist students in learning science and technology though mentorship and competition. As part of the District School Board of Niagara's initiative to get more young women involved in Science and Technology, the DSBN in conjunction with Governor Simcoe Secondary School and Team 1114 Simbotics, have also created a grant to allow for free event registration for a limited number of all-girls teams that wish to attend the Southern Ontario VEX Robotics Championship.