Young women in the Regina area had the opportunity to take part in a workshop encouraging the trades industry.
The Mind Over Metal workshop was held at Sask Polytechnic in Regina this past week and will be heading to Moose Jaw and Prince Albert campuses this week and next.
It’s purpose? To help women get involved in the trades and demonstrates what possibilities are available for them.
Sask Polytechnic helps organize the event with CWB Welding Foundation who since 2014 has helped put on nearly 170 camps similar to this.
Instructor Max Ceron said it’s important to get women involved in the trades since only five per cent of workers in the industry are female.
“It’s hurting the industry, it’s hurting society in terms of the amount of trade flow and income levels that females can have access to,” he explained. “[It affects] the types of work we’re seeing now in an industry that requires finesse and attention to detail, something women have always been better at.”
Hope Rittwage participated in the Regina camp. After participating in one of their workshops, she said how something in the trades could be a viable career for her.
“The one thing I learned is as a welder you actually make pretty good money, especially with all the stuff that’s going on,” said Rittwage. “There are dangers with it, but they’re very preventable, and that’s why you get paid so much.”
Since their first camp in Edmonton back in 2014, CWB has held close to 170 different camps across Canada.
