young women learn about skilled trades during jill of all trades event at st. clair college
statistics show that over the next five years, canada w...
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st. clair college hosted the second annual jill of all trades event on wednesday, may 21, 2025 at the main campus. the event is a hands-on day of activities introducing young women from grades 9 to 12 to a variety of occupations in the skilled trades. zachary elmslie, a graduate of the hvac technician program watches ella hewitt, a north star high school student perform sheet metal work during the program.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
breaking down barriers and introducing female high schoolers to possible careers in the skilled trades was the focus of a day full of activities wednesday at st. clair college.
one-hundred young women experienced hands-on work during workshops on electrical, welding, powerline and sheet metal during the second annual jill of all trades day hosted by the college.
“jill of all trades is an excellent opportunity for young women to participate in hands-on activities and engage practically with different trades,” said lido zuccato, chairman of the school of skilled trades at the college.
“taking the first step can often be the hardest, but the chance to physically create something is a vital first step towards building the confidence needed to explore a career in the trades.”
a young woman gets a look from a utility truck aerial lift with instructor dave dunn during the jill of all trades event at st. clair college on may 21, 2025.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
abby st. pierre, a pain court secondary school student, tries her hand at welding during the jill of all trades event on may 21, 2025, at st. clair college.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
female mentors and other faculty members engaged with the teenagers, introducing them to a variety of occupations in roles not traditionally held by women.
statistics show that over the next five years, canada will need at least 75,000 news tradespersons to fill the gap left by retiring workers.
but only five per cent of skilled trades workers in canada identify as women and only two per cent of 15-year-old girls indicated they are planning to pursue a career in the skilled trades.
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erin gouin, a millwright at stellantis, was the event’s keynote speaker.
st. clair college hosted the second annual jill of all trades event on wednesday, may 21, 2025 at the main campus. hannah tetley, a vincent massey secondary school student, tries some metal cutting during the program.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
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