To a background of loud, upbeat music, about 20 young women gather in small groups around wooden workbenches, finishing off their projects.
It’s the day when participants in Okanagan College’s Women in Trades Training (WITT) mentor female students from Salmon Arm Secondary, to give them a glimpse of what trades training is all about.
“It’s so awesome, how it gives you a variety of the trades,” says mentor Frances Sadowick, who has been enrolled in this fall’s program since September.
Sadowick says she will probably enter plumbing or electrical training after WITT ends. Now, she’s about to start her own year-end project, which she thinks will be a LEGO table.
She said she would definitely recommend the program, as it gives participants an excellent opportunity to see what interests them.
As Sadowick watches over her, Grade 9 student Ashanta August is putting the finishing touches on the wooden tray she’s created.
“This is a really fun thing to do,” she smiles, adding that having another young woman helping her has made her feel more comfortable.
And the day at the college’s Trades Training Centre has left its mark.
“I’m actually thinking of doing wood shop at school,” she says.
Teacher Greg Seed is accompanying the SAS students during their day at the training centre in the industrial park.
“I was kind of thinking they’d be more hesitant,” he says, looking at the students working hard on their trays. “They have jumped in – I think it a really good influence, the role modelling.”
Sarah Dekker is another SAS student who’s enjoying her day.
“I love it. I intend to do something in the trades. This has opened my eyes to what I want to do.”
Her mentor, WITT participant Deianeira Rizzi, says WITT is a great program.
“It definitely gave me the opportunity to do the trades. I was dead set on science.”
She explains that when she went to college she discovered she wasn’t enjoying the sciences – and then someone told her about WITT.
“I found my niche in auto body through this program,” she says, explaining she likes all the detail and fine finishing work involved in the painting.
Rob Barton is the WITT instructor. He, too, likes the program.
“I get a lot of satisfaction out of it. I really enjoy seeing the ladies succeed, gain some confidence, learn some skills.”
He says he’s kept in contact with some of his former students.
“A number of them are becoming red seal journey persons.”
Trades offered in WITT can include carpentry, joinery, plumbing, collision repair, electrical, automotive, sheet metal, RV tech and welding.
Asked if women are making inroads into the trades, he says yes.
“It still is a bit of a male-dominated world, but it’s changing.”