Saskatchewan Polytechnic program gives women crash course in trades

Women are getting the chance to have a taste of the trades thanks to a program being offered atSaskatchewan Polytechnic.

The hands-on workshop gives women a chance to try their skills at welding, automotive servicing, carpentry, electrical, machining and plumbing.

"It's certainly not as intimidating as they might expect," Jessica Baldwin, the program's provincial facilitator, said.

"We want to show women that these are opportunities for them."

Having grown up on a farm with three older brothers, Baldwin said she was exposed to varioustrades. Baldwin admits that's not an opportunity many women get.

Spread over eight days, each workshop concentrates on one area. The class is made up of only women, and is taught by a female instructor.

The carpentry workshop gives students the chance to frame two walls and install a door and window. In the machining workshop, students build a hammer from scratch. In the electrical workshop, students wire in a switch, plug and light.

"The idea is to give our students the skills and knowledge that they could get out of a one-day workshop to get a feel for what a career in each of those trades is like."

Baldwin saidwomen who want to work in the trades can struggle with breaking in.

Due to a lack of experience, apprenticeships are often tough to arrange. Another option, Baldwin explained, is Saskatchewan Polytechnic's certificate and applied certificate programming.

"Our students can come in with no previous experience at all and learn in the classroom setting and gain some practical experience in the classroom setting."

More information on the Women in Trades and Technology program can be found on the institution's website.