Young Women Explore Opportunities

in the Skilled Trades

On Tuesday, November 3, the District School Board of Niagara will host the third annual technology conference for female students in grades 9-12. Taking place in Niagara Falls, the “Your Future Starts Now” conference will give young women from public high schools across the region the opportunity to meet, interact and learn from female professionals working in the skilled trades.  

DSBN Skills Coordinator John Sherk said the event will “will empower young female students to explore their secondary and postsecondary training and career options in apprenticeship Skilled Trades and Technologies.” 

Female mentors representing a wide range of industries will be on-hand to share their journeys, challenges and successes with students in attendance. They will highlight the numerous opportunities available to female students in the construction, green industries, hairstyling and aesthetics, hospitality and tourism, information and communications technologies (ICT), industrial and motive power sectors. 

Jamie MacMillan, founder of Journeyman, will deliver the event’s keynote address. Ms. McMillan, an ironworker from Hamilton, Ontario, decided she wanted to help other women in the trades through support and mentorship. Journeyman was developed to help get those important messages out to young women. 

“We know that Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers,” said Kevin Graham, Team Leader, SHSM, Technological and Outdoor Education. “Employers across the country are constantly looking for workers with the knowledge, skills and abilities to fill positions in many different sectors. Through our Specialist High Skills Majors programs and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship opportunities, students are finding more ways than ever to prepare themselves for a rewarding career in the skilled trades.” 

Event Details: 

Date: Tuesday, November 3 

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Location: Hilton Fallsview, Niagara Falls