Building a Stronger Workforce: A Women in the Trades Event

Did you know that according to Statistics Canada, only about 5% of skilled trades workers are women?  Let’s change that!

The Sault Community Career Centre’s Apprenticeship Support Program, in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association, presents Building a Stronger Workforce: A Women in the Trades Event on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre.

Join us for an inspirational evening to encourage and promote women in the skilled trades.  There will be food, refreshments, and door prizes.

While this free event focuses on women in the skilled trades, everyone is welcome to attend.

Our special keynote speaker is Jamie McMillan, founder of KickAss Careers.  Jamie is a motivational speaker, journeyman ironworker, apprentice boilermaker, outreach specialist, author, visionary, and advocate for skilled trades, technology, mental health, homelessness, and youth.

Jamie understands the struggle of working in a male-dominated workforce and is on a mission to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes.  She became an ironworker in 2002 when women only represented 2% of the workforce across Canada and the United States.  In 2019, the Canadian Federal Government appointed Jamie as co-chair of a National Skilled Trades Advisory Committee to promote careers in skilled trades as first-choice pathways for youth.

Through KickAss Careers, Jamies travels extensively every year to provide engaging keynote presentations and workshops to more than 50,000 students, parents, educators and employers across North America.  Her efforts have gained international attention for opening doors and minds to the possibilities of well-paid careers in the skilled trades and technology sectors.  Jamie will share her inspirational story and speak about the importance of attracting and retaining women in the skilled trades and the challenges they face.

A panel discussion on creating more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable workplaces will be moderated by Adam Pinder, Executive Director of the Sault Community Career Centre.  The event will be hosted by Ashley Pszeniczny, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Skills Ontario.

For more information on the event, contact Beth Lacher, Manager of Specialized Programs with the Sault Community Career Centre, at 705.759.0909 ext. 4231 or email beth.lacher@saultcareercentre.ca.

To attend, please register before Thursday, January 19, 2023, here: forms.office.com/r/vjS9rMqfVQ or click on the graphic below.