Edmonton program aims to give girls a hands-on look at different skilled trades

It’s spring break, and young women in Edmonton are getting a hands-on look at different skilled trades as part of a program to try to tip the balance in male-dominated careers.

It’s a first for students like Brooklyn Jackson — welding custom nameplates — all part of the Careers: Next Generation program.

“My favourite part was spelling my name out, I thought that was pretty fun, and honestly after practicing, a few times, you really get a lot better,” said Jackson.

“I like trying it out a little bit first, then my mentor helped me out a bit, he told me to fix my angle, and then I was good to go,” explained Chloe Clements, a student.

Over the next four days, students between grades 9 and 12 will be visiting different shops, where they will be exploring the vast trade careers available in Alberta.

“We really wanted a way to empower young females to look at these industries as a serious career path that they could achieve,” explained Taryn McDonald, program coordinator of Careers: Next Generation.

Recent labour force numbers show women only make up seven percent of skilled trades. Organizers hope opportunities like this, will help raise the numbers of women seeking out the on-demand jobs.

“We’ve got a lot of people retiring in the next 5-10 years, we’ve known this is coming, they have to be passing along their knowledge to somebody,” said McDonald.

The program takes in 16 people, which organizers say they can grow in the coming years.

Jackson is already looking forward to the future and what could come.

“This is my first time out here, but I really think I could find a career in this maybe,” said Jackson.

“Honestly I was pretty excited for this day, cause I’ve never tried welding before, I’ve been around welding before but I’ve never tried it for myself and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

Program organizers say they hope this hands-on experience will empower young women, setting the pace for a future in trades.