Young women get taste of careers in trades and technologies

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on April 12, 2023.

Herald photo by Delon Shurtz Austin Hendry, fleet supervisor at KB Heating and Air Conditioning in Lethbridge, describes one of his responsibilities to a group of high school students on Tuesday during a Young Women in Trades and Technologies spring camp.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

It wasn’t that long ago that women working in the trades was virtually unheard of.

Welders, carpenters, automotive mechanics, plumbers, heating and air-conditioning technicians and engineers were all occupations monopolized by men.

Those days are gone, however, and more and more women are looking for careers in trades and technologies, and more and more businesses are looking to hire them.

“In general, doors are opening for women in a variety of industries,” says Kristy Vassall, program co-ordinator for CAREERS, an Alberta-based organization that helps connect female high school students with paid internships and employers.

Until Friday, Vassall is guiding nine of these young women through a four-day spring break camp and introducing them to the potential careers available in Lethbridge as well as the women professionals working in them.

On Tuesday, they visited the construction site of the new Coaldale high school where they got a hands-on taste of what it would be like to be a carpenter. The same day they visited KB Heating and Air Conditioning where they learned about sheetmetal fabrication and even automotive repair by the in-house mechanic.

Today, the group is scheduled to visit the Lethbridge Airport maintenance garage for more hands-on experience. Before the week is out they will have visited several other local businesses, including Lethbridge College where they will have an opportunity to make their lunch in an industrial kitchen.

“Many of the young women who attend these camps go from being intimidated to discovering a passion for skilled trades and technologies.” says Saroeun Keuth-Ray, CAREERS regional manager.

“It’s really inspiring to see that transition. In some cases, they even end up pursuing a well- paying, rewarding career. This simply wouldn’t happen if they weren’t given the opportunity to try.”

Vassall says many of the businesses the young women will visit during the camp will offer them summer internships, which could lead to a career.

“Lots of local employers have positions available,” Vassall says.

She notes attracting more women to occupations where they are typically under-represented not only promotes equality, it helps mitigate looming workforce gaps.

Alberta is facing an estimated shortage of 49,000 skilled workers across all industries by 2025. Over the next two years, at least 10,000 new apprentices will be needed to keep pace with the province’s needs in the workforce.

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