Category: News

Okanagan College – May 23, 2025 / 9:32 am | Read the full story

Over 130 middle and high school students explored skilled trades at Jill of All Trades, a hands-on event hosted by Okanagan College (OC) on May 22. Designed to inspire young women, the event featured workshops led by industry mentors and OC alumni.

Now in its third year at OC, Jill of All Trades supports the College’s efforts to close the skilled trades gap and boost female representation—currently under 4% in many trades nationwide. The initiative is part of broader efforts, including the newly launched ACTION Project, to support inclusive education and apprentice success.

The day kicked off with a keynote by Red Seal carpenter and business owner Krista Paine, who emphasized the freedom and stability trades can offer. Last year’s event led to 30 new trades students, and organizers hope to build on that momentum.

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Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News · Posted: May 10, 2025 4:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 10

On Wednesday May 7, 2025, dozens of young women in orange shirts converged on the College of the North Atlantic’s St. John’s campus as part of an event called Jill of All Trades. The event gives young women hands-on experience with trades like welding and auto body work.

Klaire Gardiner, a Grade 11 student at Gonzaga High School, says she wants to make a difference in the trade industry as a woman.

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Julie Kotsis

Published May 22, 2025 

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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. 

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St. Clair College’s second annual Jill of All Trades event introduced 100 female high school students to the working world of skilled trades. CBC”s Dalson Chen spoke with students Abigail Collins and Cassidy Young, as well as Lido Zuccato, who chairs the college’s School of Skilled Trades.

Original Video: CBC News

By Chris Campbell

Published: May 21, 2025 at 9:48AM EDT

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“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, chair of the School of Skilled Trades at St. Clair 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.”

The college says with Canada needing at least 75,000 new tradespeople over the next five years due to retirements alone, events like this are crucial to addressing the skilled trades shortage — especially with women representing only five per cent of the current workforce.

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By Lydia Chubak

Updated: May 15, 2025 at 7:15PM EDT

Original Video: CTV News

“It’s so important that women get exposure to the trades so they understand what they’re capable of, what opportunities are there for them and we want them to become strong, independent women who are comfortable going into the trades,” said Jamie Johnston, Dean of technology, trades, apprenticeship and mining at Northern College.

“Because it’s very male-driven so we’re trying to bring in more, especially when it comes to the stereotypes so we’re hoping to break that stereotype,” said Carole McLean, Indigenous student recruitment associate for Northern College.

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