THUNDER BAY - Brooklyn Barnard and Hunter Zerabny have always been a very hands-on learners and gravitated toward wood working and carpentry classes because not only do they provide a lot of creativity, but also empowerment.
“It makes me feel powerful because most women don’t do trades because they are either scared or think they can’t do it but they can,” Barnard said.
“Women can do it,” Zerabny added. “It doesn’t matter what gender you are or how you identify as, you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it.”
The two Grade 12 students at Superior CVI were part of a group of female students from the school taking part in carpentry lessons at the Carpenters Union Local 1669 Training Centre.
The students, ranging from Grade 9 to 12, were busy building wooden toolboxes with the help of women who recently graduated from the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
After the tool boxes were complete, the students headed to Confederation College’s Aviation Centre of Excellence at the airport to learn about the aviation industry.
Alana Carli, special education facilitator with Superior CVI, said part of International Women’s Day is celebrating the many opportunities that exist for women across numerous employment sectors.
“This is an opportunity of them to explore the trade of carpentry. The next stage is an exploration of the aviation sector, another field where perhaps women and girls are underrepresented in the sector,” she said.
“I think traditionally it is a male dominated field, so allowing students to explore opportunities that may not have presented themselves in their path and give them a variety and exposure to the different opportunities they have in all career fields.”
John Delorey, chair of technology at Superior CVI, said in the last 20 years he has been teaching, more and more female students are enrolling in technology and trade classes, with there now being a 50/50 split between males and females.
“It’s always important for women to be promoted in trades so we can see a diverse workplace,” he said. “A lot of the females we take do better work than some of their male counter parts. It’s just fun to see the excitement of learning, measuring, using the tools safely, and seeing a project to completion.”
Trade industries continue to be dominated by men, but Delorey said it is evolving and women are starting to fill the void of jobs that are available.
“There’s such a demand for workers,” he said. “Some of these students will graduate right out of high school and start an apprenticeship or enter the world of work.”
